India ignores Chinese frown, boosts def ties with Vietnam
India on Tuesday took a
decisive step towards countering China's assertive power by committing
to help Vietnam's defence modernization, a move that drew a sharp
response from Beijing. After his meeting with visiting Vietnamese
PM Nguyen Tan Dung, PM Narendra Modi said, “Our defence cooperati
on with Vietnam is among our most important ones. India remains
committed to the modernization of Vietnam's defence and security forces.
This will include expansion of our training programme, which is already
substantial, joint exercises and cooperation in defence equipment. We
will quickly operationalize the $100 million line of credit that will
enable Vietnam to acquire new
navy vessels from India.“
For the first time, India sent clear signals that it may be willing to sell the BrahMos short-range cruise missiles to Vietnam, a long-standing demand of Hanoi. The previous Indian government was hesitant, citing reservations by Russia (which is a co-developer). China on Tuesday warned India against meddling in its dispute with Vietnam over islands in the South China Sea. It opposed the Vietnamese government's latest move inviting India to carry out oil exploration in the sea.
“With regard to the Vietnamese prime minister's call for India to support the peaceful resolution of the South China Sea, I want to point out that the dispute should be resolved through dialogue and consultations by countries directly involved on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law,“ Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
He was reacting to an offer made by Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung asking India to begin exploration in two oilfields in the South China Sea. Dung's offer, made in New Delhi during his two-day India visit, surprised China because its state councilor Yang Jeichi had just returned from Hanoi after discussing steps to improve China-Vietnam relations. Dung held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday .
The Chinese spokesman said New Delhi should respect the efforts being made by Beijing and Hanoi to resolve their dispute, instead of trying to play a role in it.
For the first time, India sent clear signals that it may be willing to sell the BrahMos short-range cruise missiles to Vietnam, a long-standing demand of Hanoi. The previous Indian government was hesitant, citing reservations by Russia (which is a co-developer). China on Tuesday warned India against meddling in its dispute with Vietnam over islands in the South China Sea. It opposed the Vietnamese government's latest move inviting India to carry out oil exploration in the sea.
“With regard to the Vietnamese prime minister's call for India to support the peaceful resolution of the South China Sea, I want to point out that the dispute should be resolved through dialogue and consultations by countries directly involved on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law,“ Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
He was reacting to an offer made by Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung asking India to begin exploration in two oilfields in the South China Sea. Dung's offer, made in New Delhi during his two-day India visit, surprised China because its state councilor Yang Jeichi had just returned from Hanoi after discussing steps to improve China-Vietnam relations. Dung held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday .
The Chinese spokesman said New Delhi should respect the efforts being made by Beijing and Hanoi to resolve their dispute, instead of trying to play a role in it.
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