Amid Chinese aggression, India invites Vietnam to be part of Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative

New Delhi: India has invited Vietnam to part of its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the East Asia Summit in Bangkok, Thailand in 2019. 

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.

The 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. 

A statement by the 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. While Bejing's ties with India deteriorated after Galwan face-off, Vietnam has raised alarm after Chinese intrusion into its exclusive economic zone. 

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. India and Vietnam will serve concurrently as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 2021.