India, Vietnam agree to expand counter-terror & maritime security ties

The Second India – Vietnam Security Dialogue at the level of Deputy National Security Advisor and Deputy Minister here on Tuesday decided to ramp up counter-terror and maritime security partnership amid China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) was led by Vikram Misri, Deputy National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Public Security, Socialist Republic of Vietnam was led by Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Public Security.

An MoU for Cooperation signed between the NSCS and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security in 2016 established an institutional mechanism between the NSCS and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security.

The inaugural dialogue was held in April 2018 in Hanoi. Ajit Doval National Security Adviser, had visited Vietnam, along with Thailand, as part of his visit to the region in April 2015.

During the meeting, both sides had a frank discussion on a number of issues of mutual interest.

Misri reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), focused on a collaborative effort to better manage, conserve, sustain and secure the maritime domain, and which shares strong convergence with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, according to persons familiar with the meeting.

Vietnam appreciated India’s role in promoting peace and security in the region and in shaping the Indo-Pacific architecture.

Misri also reiterated India’s firm stand for the freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in national waters in accordance with international laws, notably UNCLOS, as well as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.

The Code of Conduct on the South China Sea should be fully consistent with the relevant UN conventions and negotiations should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations that are not party to the discussions.

The two sides agreed to collaborate and cooperate on Counter- Terrorism. The two sides agreed that coordinated efforts are needed to combat the nexus of radicalization, terrorism and the production and trafficking of illegal narcotics and arms in the region, according to persons familiar with the meeting.

India also offered to continue to assist Vietnam for capacity building programs, including providing training to Ministry of Public Security officials in undertaking UN Peace Keeping Missions, according to one of persons quoted above.

India will be guided by the requirements of the Vietnamese side on such capacity building programmes. India also offered to share its expertise and domain knowledge in the field of cyber security.

As two maritime countries, India and Vietnam have an abiding interest in ensuring peace and security in our shared maritime space. Sharing of best practices to combat piracy and illegal fishing was also discussed. The two sides also agreed to actively exchange views in areas such as blue economy, sustainable oceans and marine connectivity.

Deputy Minister Lt General Quang called on National Secretary Adviser and also met Secretary (East), MEA.

By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury – The Economic Times – September 13, 2022