India and Vietnam signed an important agreement on October 12, 2011 at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. This agreement was regarding oil exploration in Vietnam's Special Economic Zone in the South China Sea. As soon as this information became public, China expressed strong objection to Vietnam, because China has its own claim on this area of the South China Sea.
Actually, the foundation of this agreement was laid by ONGC Videsh Limited in the year 2006 itself, which was later signed in 2011 in the presence of the then PM Dr. Manmohan Singh and the President of Vietnam Truong Tan Sang. Some other agreements including the extradition treaty were signed on this day.
Vietnam's strategy to deal with China
ONGC Videsh Limited has continued its exploration in the waters off Vietnam in the South China Sea. Although no significant success has been achieved there yet, Vietnam wants India to continue this exploration. Because this initiative is helpful in dealing with China in that area.
This is a big project and China is aware of its importance, that is why China is still worried about the continuous expansion of this agreement. In August this year, ONGC Videsh Limited got another extension of three years, thus Vietnam has given it the eighth extension. Since China does not want India to interfere in this area and Vietnam wants India to continue exploration in this area at any cost.
Officials hope that now they are in the final stages of their search results, it is expected that there will be a big success from here, which will prove to be a win-win deal for both India and Vietnam.
It's not just about oil
In fact, China's objection is not only because India has signed an agreement with Vietnam for oil exploration in the South China Sea and is continuously expanding it. His problem goes much further than this. India and Vietnam are continuously taking forward their partnership at various levels. From defense sector to trade, from politics to diplomacy, India and Vietnam are with each other.
This matter is so serious that Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was the PM, also stood firmly with Vietnam and the present PM Narendra Modi is also standing in the same way. India is not delaying any project of cooperation with Vietnam.
India gave missile firing warship
Before extending the exploration for oil deal by three years in August 2023, India gifted its warship INS Kirpan to Vietnam in July 2023 with the intention of helping in the defense sector.
A procession for this was organized in Cam Ranh, Vietnam. Indian Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar himself was present on this occasion. This is the first time that India has gifted a fully operational warship to any country. This is proof of the warmth of the relationship. Even missiles can be fired from this ship. More than a hundred soldiers and officers can be deployed on it simultaneously. India has handed it over to Vietnam with all its equipment.
China is irritated by India-Vietnam friendship
It is a matter of concern for China that how and why any of its neighboring countries is getting closer to India, while its relations with Vietnam are not good. Especially the tension regarding the maritime border seems to be quite high. However, India has clarified many times that its relationship with Vietnam in other areas including defense cooperation is part of its Act East policy. It is unfair to link it to China. But China's response has been the opposite.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had also handed over 12 state-of-the-art high speed guard boats in a program organized in Hanoi in the year 2022. Both the countries had signed joint defense logistics support only till the year 2030. The strategic relationship between India and Vietnam had a solid beginning in the year 1994. After that both the countries are serious about their relations, relations and agreements. This is in the interest of both. Both of them do not have cordial relations with China. In such a situation, there is every possibility that the intensity will increase. There will also be warmth in relationships.
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