Question : INDIA S RELATIONS WITH VIETNAM

(a) the present status of India`s relations with Vietnam;

(b) whether China has certain objections to it;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether India has agreed to offer $ 100 million in aid to Vietnam; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) India and Vietnam share a long tradition of close and cordial relations. Our relations were elevated to a level of Strategic Partnership in 2007. It is characterised by multi-faceted and growing cooperation and exchanges in political, defence, economic and cultural areas. We have commemorated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries and the 5th anniversary of our strategic partnership in 2012.There have been many high level visits between the two countries in the last few years. Economic ties have expanded with growth in trade and investments. Bilateral trade has grown to $6.1 billion in 2012-13 (provisional figures) and Indian investments in Vietnam are around $790 million in agro processing, IT and minerals. We have close cooperation in the oil sector. We are engaged in several development and capacity building projects in Vietnam and have extended several Lines of Credit to Vietnam.

(b) & (c) China has raised the issue of Indian companies engaged in oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea.We have pointed out that the activities of Indian companies in the South China Sea are purely commercial in nature and do not have any political connotation.

(d) & (e) India has offered a US$ 100 million Line of Credit to Vietnam during the visit of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang to India in October 2011. The Line of Credit would be utilized for defence procurement from India.