Look East plus

The India-Vietnam relationship has been special since the days of the Vietnam War. The imperative for Delhi and Hanoi now is to expand their redefined and updated partnership into a search for a new Asian balance of power. For all the talk of a Look East policy,Indian foreign policy,when it comes to Vietnam,has always been burdened by its anti-colonial history. This,even as Hanoi moved on to strike a radically new partnership with its old enemy,Washington DC. India is a natural partner for Vietnam as the latter seeks more room for manoeuvre against China in a maritime territorial dispute that has seen Hanoi draw closer to Tokyo and Washington. India would rightly not like to confront China with whom all of Southeast Asia,including Vietnam,has very close economic ties but it cannot waste every opportunity to bolster its own security and economic interests. Moreover,Delhi has to look beyond bilateral partnerships with states and integrate itself into the strategic network of Southeast and East Asia. Delhi cannot separate the Indian Ocean and South China Sea theatres when it comes to the freedom of navigation in the global commons and leveraging its economic and energy pursuits.

The Japanese emperor and empress who visit next week will be followed by Japans prime minister and subsequently,South Koreas president. Each visit is an opportunity for Delhi to strengthen its place in that network. For,a secure Southeast Asia will stabilise a maritime zone increasingly significant for Indias trade,energy and security interests.