Vietnam intensifies ties with US, India, UK amid tensions in South China Sea
Joining hands with big powers shows part of Vietnam`s efforts to defend the status quo in the disputed South China Sea.
Within a week starting March 30, news on visit and engagement between Vietnam and the US, India, and the UK has been widely covered, showing enhanced defense ties linking Hanoi and those powers. 
Vietnamese flag raises at sea. Photo: Mapio
|
Here is a look into the latest developments of Vietnam's military cooperation with those countries.
Hanoi-Washington
Metal Shark handed over to Vietnam Coast Guard. Photo: Metal Shark
|
The vessels are in addition to another twelve “Metal Shark” patrol boats and a high-endurance cutter which Washington provided to Hanoi in the last two years.
“Delivering these patrol vessels represents deepening US-Vietnam cooperation in the areas of maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and maritime humanitarian assistance operations within Vietnam’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone,” the embassy said in a statement.
The Metal Shark “45 Defiant” patrol boat is manufactured in the United States by Gravois Aluminium Boats LLC. It can reach speeds of up to 35 knots and is suited for both inland and offshore use, according to the manufacturer’s website.
Before the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi at the end of February, US President Donald Trump used a meeting with Vietnamese officials to pitch arms exports from the US, according to Reuters. In a visit to Vietnam in May 2016, President Obama announced the full removal of the US's decades-long ban on lethal arms sale to Vietnam.
Hanoi-New Delhi
Indian Coast Guard ship Vijit docks at Danang's Tien Sa port on April 1. Photo: VnExpress
|
The visit reflects the strong bilateral ties and growing defense and maritime cooperation between India and Vietnam, the Indian embassy in Hanoi said.
Special maritime cooperation between the two coast guards would be central, contributing to the security and stability in the region and the world at large, the embassy said.
The ship is used for patrolling and policing maritime zones, search and rescue operations, maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling operations, pollution response against oil spillages and external fire-fighting.
The Indian officers, headed by Commandant T Ashish, will also call on dignitaries of the Vietnamese government.
Hanoi-London
Vietnamese peacekeeping force trained under the UK's support. Photo: The Australian
|
Last week, Vietnam and the UK held another defense-related meeting within the broader Vietnam-UK strategic partnership that has been making inroads amid wider domestic and foreign policy developments in recent years, according to The Diplomat.
The two countries have a bilateral relationship that includes a defense realm as well. Both sides have been cooperating in several areas, including the UK’s sharing of its expertise to help Vietnam in its first UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
In other fields, London has closed ties with Hanoi as Britain moves to boost its relations with Southeast Asia post-Brexit while Hanoi sees London among a range of powers to engage across the board as it seeks to deal with a series of challenges including the South China Sea disputes.
This trend has continued on over the past year. In late November, both sides held the first iteration of the UK-Vietnam defense policy dialogue at the deputy ministerial level. They inked a cooperation document on geo-space and discussed various areas.
Last week, the defense aspect was in the headlines with another defense meeting focused on military medicine. Stuart Miller, the chief of medical operational capability at the UK defense ministry, was on a visit to Vietnam where his delegation met with a number of Vietnamese officials on boosting collaboration in this vein.
17:10, 2024/10/25
Hanoi students honored for creative logo celebrating German-Vietnamese ties
The red, yellow and black logo designed by two students from Hanoi has won the logo design competition to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.
10:44, 2024/10/06
Vietnam condemns violence by Chinese authorities in Hoang Sa
Vietnam expresses its discontent and vehement objection to the brutal actions of Chinese law enforcement authorities in the Hoang Sa archipelago, which have resulted in Vietnamese fishermen being injured, their lives threatened and their property damaged.
19:03, 2024/09/14
Hanoi set to pilot centralized government services
The centralized building and those of its branches for government services would be equipped with the latest facilities and technologies.
15:15, 2024/09/02
Vietnam National Day: Insights from expats
Vietnam’s glorious history and national pride on National Day has captivated international friends in Hanoi.
18:28, 2024/08/01
Musical featuring the Spratlys to be aired
The musical shows the moving picture of the marines, who always hold their rifles firmly, ready to fulfill the mission of protecting the sacred sea and the islands of the Motherland.
17:19, 2024/07/19
Countries recognize Vietnam’s right to claim extended continental shelf in UN submission
In a note verbal to the UN Secretary-General on its extended continental shelf claim, Vietnam reiterated that it has no bearing on the maritime delimitation between the country and its neighboring states.
- Vietnam submits limits of continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in respect of the East Sea's Central area
- Vietnam firmly rejects any activities in violation of its sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Truong Sa
- Dien Bien Phu Battle in memories of war veterans
- Vietnamese people flock to Dien Bien Phu to commemorate resounding victory
- “Grey zone” activities cast a shadow over cooperation and peaceful prospects in East Sea
- Vietnam becomes one of first nations to sign High Seas Treaty