Deliberations during the 15th Meeting of India-Vietnam Joint Commission held in New Delhi on 11 July 2013 highlighted the diverse fields shaping bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the region and with China. While there are a number of areas of convergence between Indian and Vietnam, the China factor will remain important as Beijing has raised many objections to Indian presence in the South China Sea including offshore drilling projects jointly with Vietnam. Thus there is a nuanced approach that each country has adopted stressing on UNCLOS and the rights of a country to carry out energy and economic activity in the exclusive economic zone.
Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Minister for Foreign Affairs was categorical in emphasizing the same during the media interaction with India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. He said, “South China Sea or Eastern Sea is one of the issues we have also had discussions on. Our position is that we need to respect the international law, UNCLOS to solve the issue in South China Sea namely that the peaceful resolution of the issue”. He added, “We also reaffirmed all the rights of the countries to have the rights in the exclusive economic zone. So, all the blocks that India has exploitation and exploration basins are well within the exclusive economic zone of Vietnam”.
India’s External Affairs Minister speaking on the issue of exploration and rites of passage said, “We have expressed our commitment for continuing our collaboration with Vietnam in the field of exploration. We have reiterated that these are commercial ventures by the Indian companies.”
While there were some reports that India was pulling out of the Vietnam oil blocks because there were not seen to be viable from the commercial point of view, strategically it makes sense to remain committed and thus the engagement on the exploration front between the two countries is ongoing and will sustain the partnership in the years ahead despite apprehensions of China.
India is also resting on the strong partnership with ASEAN to maneouvre these treacherous waters. As Khurshid said, “This is other than the fact that we have, not just here but also at the ASEAN meeting, reiterated India’s commitment to free passage in the international waters, and have indicated that if there is an issue of a bilateral nature it should be settled bilaterally through dialogue in a peaceful manner. But this was also an issue that was discussed widely at the ARF. And I think a convergence of points of view within the ASEAN countries has become apparent to move towards negotiating the COC for South China Sea”.
India will also be supplying patrol vehicles to the Border Guards Organisation on the Vietnamese side which as per Mr Khurshid, “will be a major and unique step of expression of our solidarity and friendship”.
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