India has invited Vietnam to part of its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the East Asia Summit in Bangkok.
Increasing trade connectivity- maritime transport and Maritime security are among the seven key pillars of the initiative. Other five are– Maritime ecology, maritime resources, capacity building and resource sharing, disaster risk reduction and management, science, technology and academic cooperation.
Although, invitation was extended during the 17th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting led by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Vietnam’s foreign minister Pham Binh Minh.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “India and Vietnam agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region.”
Invitation to Vietnam comes even as both New Delhi and Hanoi deal with an aggressive China.
Both sides have increased engagement in the last few years with a high-level visit such as the visit of Vietnam’s President to India and Indian PM visit to Vietnam.
