On April 10, 2023, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, met with General Ph Lam, the politburo member of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Minister of Public Security to discuss the situation that arose out of Chinese Aggression in respective regions.
According to officials, the two sides at the meeting reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and stability, maritime safety, navigation freedom, and overflight in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Both sides without mentioning the name of the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) emphasised the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) and reaffirmed their belief that any differences must be resolved peacefully by respecting international law and not resorting to threats, aggression or the unilateral or forceful change in status quo.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and enhance linkages on the strategic, security and stability of both countries and the world at large.
They noted the discussions held during the ‘Second India -Vietnam Deputy Security Dialogue’ in September 2022 in New Delhi and agreed to strengthen ongoing cooperation in exchanges, capacity buildings and training of officials from the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam.
The Minister of the State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai called on General Ph Lam. The Vietnamese Minister also made a call on Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankar.
Notably, China and Vietnam have been at loggerheads ever since the breakout of the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979, Ever since then, there have been multiple instances of friction between the two in (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1984, 1986 and 1987).
The conflicts finally culminated in the year 1991.
Nevertheless, Vietnam along with the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, are involved in a prolonged maritime dispute in the South China Sea (SCS).
