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AN EXAMINATION OF ENVIRONMENT’S ROLE IN BUILDING STRONGER INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Mr. Somanand Saraswati Dr. Urmi Satyan

Abstract Environment Protection is crucial and critical for humankind, but Environment Protection could also play an essential role in the larger idea of international politics. This paper argues that the relation based on environment cooperation will be more long-lasting and stable as its foundation is mutual-need. If a bilateral relationship is built on keeping future perspectives in mind, the environment could be inextricably connected with it. The paper will explore the role of environment in building a stronger bilateral relationship. To support the supposition, the paper uses India- relations as an example to substantiate the argument and examines various factors of India-Vietnam relations.

Key words - Vietnam, India-Vietnam Relations, Geopolitics, Environment Protection, Mutual- Need

Introduction

Two nation-states, economically, politically and socially different from each other still have developed a close relationship; this is what could be learnt from India and Vietnam. Both countries have great importance in the south Asia region. Vietnam, as one of the fastest-growing economies, is believed to reach the position of a developed nation soon; plays a vital role in the South Asia region. All the countries understand its geostrategic importance and want to have their influence on the country. However, the shows that it is able to keep its own individuality, identity and nationality, no matter how powerful the outer influencers were, like France and the US. When there are so many ‘biggies’ like the United States, Russia, Japan and especially China who have an eagle eye on it, and try to have strategic relation, it becomes more critical to make the Indian-Vietnam relation sustainable and long-lasting. In such a geopolitical situation, the environment could play a key role. A country runs on the economy, and the economy is based on natural resource. Countries need natural resources, and this

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1056 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 becomes a dominant factor in building a relationship. It is the need of time to explore how environmental conservation could not only save the environment, but could help in building the international relationship.

The year 1972, is very special for the world, as the world witnesses the emergence of environment concern through Stockholm Conference (UNCHE), is also a special year for India and Vietnam as both the countries established their official diplomatic relations. Two nation- states, economically, politically and socially different from each other, still have developed a close relationship, this is what could be learnt from India and Vietnam. Vietnam, which is the 47th largest and one of the fastest-growing economies of the world, plays an essential role in the South Asia region.

Bilateral relations are typically based on political and financial aspects, so there is more possibility of conflicts because of power-games, but the relation based on environment cooperation will be more stable and long-lasting because its foundation is a mutual need for natural resources and the very existence of human being. Climate change is now widely accepted as a global phenomenon, and in future, the environmental situation is going to be more critical. Some even say that “the third world war will be about water” (CBS. 2012. 2). So it appears more suitable to have a bilateral relationship which keeps the future possibilities in mind.

Every country, regardless of its size, geography or geopolitical position, requires natural resources, which is why it is an imperative element in its international relations. India and Vietnam both have commercial ties. Both countries are also rich in natural resources, and its trade and conservation could be one significant aspect for a strong and more sustained relationship. Initiatives have been going on, such as Indian firms which are working in the Vietnamese sea. Although it has been observed that on multilateral stage sometimes countries do sign the commitment but later they quit; as seen when Canada withdrew from Kyoto Protocol, or the United States’s Trump administration recently withdrew from the Paris Agreement. All this happens mainly in international conventions because there are many players, but bilateral relations are just between two, and it is about their mutual understanding. When it is based on the environment, it is more likely to stay longer as the mutual needs are likely to increase in future. It is the need of time to explore the internal and external political factors in India and Vietnam that lead towards a stronger partnership, and how the sustainable development and environment conservation could play an essential role in creating a long-lasting bilateral relationship between these two states.

A Shared History India and Vietnam share a bond which is strengthened by their historical relations. Both of them have an advantage as they share a historical foundation for a relationship, which other countries

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1057 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 like the USA do not have. India is historically a friendly figure for Vietnam. Even in ancient times, Indian influence could be seen in South Asia, including Vietnam. It was spread in different ways, but was largely through merchants and then scholars. Gradual widespread of in a way increased the familiarity with Indian culture.

Interestingly as Burton Stein (2010) suggests in his book A History of India that “the Indian influence was seen through kingdoms of King Kaundinya and King Jayavarman that covered parts of present Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam” (Stein 122). Such examples show the historical relationship between both countries. Alike India, Vietnam is also old civilization. It can be read in the book titled A History of Vietnam From Hong Bang to Tu Duc which takes the reader to Stone age and Mesolithic age, and then to around 2879 BC when Hong Bang dynasty was in political power in Vietnam which lasted by 258 BC (Chapuis 2005). Such chronicle histories make a belief system and influence the culture, as the idea of nation is built on the glorious past, which helps to create a national identity and sense of belongingness. Even though there are immense scopes in historical approach, but the paper will confine itself to more recent events that has affected both the countries in a homogeneous way.

It can be argued that India and Vietnam share a common understanding and approach as they had gone through similar circumstances. Both countries got colonized by powerful European countries. Colonization brings destruction and exploitation in many ways, and it does not just impact economically but also impacts human consciousness. Vietnam and India have been through a similar crisis of colonization. French rulers used Vietnam for their economic needs, as it was a country rich with natural resources. In around 19th century, they invaded and defeated the then emperors of Vietnam, but this invading was not sudden, but was a gradual process. In the beginning, French visited Vietnam for missionary purposes where the visit of Alexandre de Rhodes is considered as a milestone because he was the one who wrote the first ever trilingual Vietnamese, Portuguese and Latin dictionary. It was called Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum and got published in 1651. This approach seems much similar to the efforts of British in the field of languages in India, as the language plays an important role of a bridge, in colonizing. From the period around 1627 to 1775, Vietnam faced many internal conflicts between Kings and which led to a kind of breakdown in administration. It was the period when the French started influencing the internal politics of Vietnam. French gave military and financial support to Nguyen Anh and in return Anh employed French as his advisors in his court. Nguyen family emerged as a major political power, with the support of French. They signed a treaty of alliance with French King Louis XVI where French priest Pigneaux de Behaine played an important role for France in Vietnam. It is again similar to India where there were more than 500 princely states, many of which were always fighting with each other. In the beginning, British indirectly ruled India through East India Company and later came into well- structured direct-rule governed by the Crown of United Kingdom. Similarly, French well- structured direct-rule was established in 1887 under the regime of Napoleon III, which is known

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Both countries have witnessed an uprising and uproar against the colonizers. The years of exploitation, in both the nations, lead the movement of resistance against their respective colonizing powers. Insensitivity and deliberate inaction of colonizers in both countries can be noticed through events like the Great Bengal Famine of India of 1943, when three to four million people died of hunger or in Australian biochemist Dr Gideon Polya's words "manmade holocaust" (Lazzaro 2013). A similar incident can be seen a year later in 1944 when two million innocent are killed by intentional inaction of rulers during the famine. Around the same time, another horrific incident took place known as Massacre of 1946; when France's attack on Haiphong resulted in the death of six thousand people (David 2015). Such inhumanity and cruelty of colonizers gave the spirit to resistance. Every barbaric attempt to suppress the voice intensified the urge of freedom and made the voice against colonialism even stronger.

Anti-colonial movement in India observed the first big uproar in 1857, and afterwards, the attempts and efforts continued, in different ways. Some worked as social reformers, and some chose to be moderators, like Gokhale. Some chose the way of direct confrontation like Lajpat Rai, Tilak or Aurobindo. People like Bose, Annie Besant or Bhikaji Cama, all used different ways to achieve the same goal of independence. The emergence of the figure of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideas of non-violence and Satyagraha changed the political scenario. He and his supporters played an essential role in taking the fight to the final position. In Vietnam, the movement against French was contributed by many leaders. The first few faces of resistance were Kings, including a young King named Ham Nghi. Another figure who is remembered for his, non-violent and peaceful struggle is Phan Chau Trinh. But the major figure was . He formed an organization called ''. He warred against the French Indochina for the independence. After 1940, the French Indochina was under Japan's administration due to World War. Ho Chi Minh's fight for independence resulted, and he proclaimed the independence of the Democratic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945. France was not able to accept its decline and attacked Vietnam with the aid of the U.S. After seeing the adverse effects of war, the international community started a peace process. In 1954, Vietnam got divided into north and south nation-states in Geneva conference. Ho Chi Minh got the rule of while came under the rule of Bao Dai who was French aside. In the 1960s, during Minh's attempts of reunifying Vietnam, the war started under the canopy of America. The ended on April 30, 1975, when North defeated the South Vietnamese government. On January 1, 1976, Vietnam became a nation-state that we see today.

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1059 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 A Metamorphosing Present It is important to see these historical events in order to understand the process of transitions of a nation; the process of building a nation-state and an identity. Both the countries have faced a similar journey of transition from a colony to an independent state. People in both colonies are never able to relate to the identity that was imposed. They have their own sense of belongingness and shared identity by which they relate to each other. As Anderson (1991) observes that ‘the people of the smallest country don’t know each other’, still they relate and even ‘ready to die for it’ (Anderson 1991). It can be seen especially through the history of Vietnam, which shows that there is a sense of nation that always stayed, no matter which king came in power. All these historical events and wars help us to understand that spirit of nation-ness in the people of Vietnam.

There can be nation can be without being a state, but when a state is built, new symbols and meanings are built around it. It is always a crucial period for any newly born state to construct the support and the positive bilateral environment. Vietnam was in such period, when India supported it as a friend. India’s first Prime Nehru visited Vietnam in the same year when it got independence in 1954. It was an instantaneous friendly gesture that was very crucial at that time because the world was divided into two powers, and making independent foreign steps were complicated. Later, President of newly emerged state of North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh came to India in February 1958. A year after, representing India, President Rajendra Prasad visited him. Not just both the states but both the leaders, Nehru and Minh have shared a common background. Both of them have struggled for the independence of their country, and later ruled the administration. Like Gandhi, Minh is considered as a father figure and statesman who helped in moulding and constructing the new state, after getting independence. Aforementioned steps by pioneer leaders of both states made an impact which helped in laying the foundation of a long- lasting relationship.

India took another courageous step when it condemned the United States’ military action in the Vietnam War and supported North Vietnam. India’s dream of creating an independent identity was reflected not just through these steps but later through the Non-Aligned Movement.

The relation between India and Vietnam proves that the idea of ideal state-relationship known as Panchsheel was practical and realistic; and not a utopian dream. The below mentioned five principles are adapted as the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Vietnam did join the NAM (1976). Both the nation-states continue the tradition of maintaining dignity and mutual respect in national and international forums. The principles of the Panchsheel treaty (1954), which later followed in NAM as well, are as follows;

“Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty” “Mutual non-aggression”

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1060 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 “Mutual non-interference in domestic affairs” “Equality and mutual benefit” “Peaceful co-existence” (MEA. 2012. 12)

The Outside World of Vietnam Asia has now become a platform for the power competition of big players like the United States and China. So, Vietnam has become an important factor in international politics. It is because of its geographical position, which is also known as “the gate” to enter Southeast Asia from the northern side. At the time of war, this could be strategically crucial. Second crucial impacting factor is its location in the South China Sea. Thirdly, its powerful nondependent individual image, as it won a huge war against France and U.S.A and has an independent position about China. Fourthly, and most importantly, it is highly rich in natural resources. Vietnam is an influential figure for India, and in order to understand the dynamics of Indo- Vietnamese relations, it is significant to see how Vietnam’s relations are with other big power players and how these superpowers are changing their policies in order to make the relationship better.

People's Republic of China China and Vietnam relations are historical and cultural, but it has never been a relation of equality. That is why Vietnam always have stood against China's dominance. Although geographically living as a neighbour to an assertive China is not a new experience for Vietnam, still it has tried to maintain an independent relation after the normalization in 1991. As Vietnamese Lecturer Le Hong Hiep (2013) suggests ‘Vietnam's approach toward China could be characterized as a calibrated mixture of deference and defiance’ (334). Vietnam's strategy for China is a balancing one, sometimes soft and polite like when it comes to economic cooperation with China, still maintaining the firm position, as not to be subservient. On China's side, China did become softer, especially on economic cooperation. In 2002, China signed many agreements to expand the business and resolve unsettled disputes.

China has emerged as a superpower both economically and militarily, and it shows its power on different occasions, like what is happening nowadays in the South China Sea. Consequently, it becomes a threat to smaller states, like Vietnam. However, this 'threat' also becomes a companion when it comes to internal factors of Vietnamese politics. Both have a communist government, and it makes them natural allies; but until now it has been seen that despite of socialist background, the relations were not good. In short, Vietnam's foreign policy with China has never been straightforward. As Hiep (2013) said, 'Vietnam's foreign relations contain elements of both cooperation and struggle.' (Hiep 2013)

United States of America.

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1061 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 Vietnam has a bitter experience with the U.S.A. In the past, the United States did not recognize North Vietnam as an independent state, and 80% of expenses of France’s war were funded by it. The United States is the one who started the Vietnam War, which gave devastating effects in the region. It used as their ‘proxy’, and they had their Embassy until its closure in 1975 (Goodman 1996). Afterwards, it did not resume the diplomatic relations with Vietnam until 1995. Even after formal normalization, the statement of the U.S. Department of State shows their mindset for Vietnam. ‘The United States supports a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam that respects human rights and the rule of law’ (U.S. Relations with Vietnam-Fact sheet. 2016. 3). This statement looks simple, but it actually shows that everything is still not normalized. The use of words like ‘human rights’ and ‘rule of law’ has its own connotation and hidden meaning behind it.

The scenario started changing after the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral trade agreement in 2001, but the dramatic change is observed after President Obama’s visit in 2016. Obama administration signed the commitment to work with Vietnam to tackle its environmental challenges. The major points from the U.S.-Vietnam Climate Partnership will be discussed later. (Refer to table 2).

India and Vietnam can Shape the World

India and Vietnam are two countries of Asia that can contribute to shaping the world. India always has positive vibes and a friendly figure for Vietnam, whereas Vietnam had a bitter past with U.S. and China. This makes India a better prospective friend. Steps taken by India during early days laid the foundation for a longer, constructive and friendly relationship.

Indo-Vietnam relation has come a long way since, and the cooperation has increased substantially. Gradually, it has spread in different sectors, like trade and infrastructure. India’s primary focus is seen in defence cooperation. There have been frequent state visits from both sides in the last decade. Many agreements have been signed since past 10-15 years such as Maritime Shipping Agreement (2013). Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam has strengthened a lot by a recent decision of giving $500 million line of credit for defence (2017). India understands the importance of South-East states, that is why ‘Look East policy (1992)’ comprised the central part of its foreign policy; present government transformed it into ‘act east policy’ which deepened the cooperation and widen its reach from ASEAN to Asia Pacific. After defense cooperation, the second important factor why Vietnam becomes important for India is, because of its natural resources. India is investing in the energy sector. The major part of Indian investment is in oil and gas exploration in the Vietnamese sea. Indian firms like ONGC, NIVL and KCP are working in oil sector. TATA group is working on a thermal power plant in SocTrang which is a project of 2.1 billion USD. Moreover, areas like agro-chemicals, sugar (manufacturing), agricultural processing and searching for minerals in sea are also undertaken by

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1062 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 India. India import things like bamboo, black pepper, coffee beans, cassia, cinnamon and dragon fruit from Vietnam. The trade target is to reach 15 billion USD by 2020.

India as a historic supporter of Vietnam, has given financial supports right from the 1970s, as a supportive partner. Here are few examples of current (left) as well as past (right) financial supports given;

Table 1 Few examples of assistance given by India 2017 US$ 500 million (line of credit) 1978 Rs.450-million credit and "loaned" 400,000 tons of wheat 2013 US$ 19.5 million credit 1981 Rs.100 million credit 2011 US$ 2 million (for Advanced Resource 1982 US$ 30 million (for restoration of a Centre) historic site) 2013 Rs.2 cr (grant assistance for Lab) 1985 Rs. 150 million credit + 5,00,000 as relief + 100,000 tons of wheat 2013 Rs.4.7cr for High Performance 1977 500 buffalos Computer Note- Assistance given in the year 2017 are cited from (Parashar 2017. 5), assistance given between the year 2011-13 are cited from Bilateral Relations Page (2017). Embassy of India, and assistance given between the year 1976-81 are cited from (Garver 1987).

Stable and prosperous India-Vietnam relation would play a key role in the stability and the security of the whole region. The duos are significant not just on international platforms such as East Asia Summit and ASEAN; but also could play a crucial role in confining China’s dominance in the region. China is an indispensable factor in India’s relations with Vietnam. According to John W. Garver (1987) ‘Indian-Vietnamese relations improved step by step as Sino-Vietnamese ties soured. While Chinese assistance to Vietnam declined, Indian aid increased.’ (1206). In this scenario, it appears that both India and China see each other as ‘threat’, in South Asia region. As Garver (1987) further draws a parallel when he says ‘China launched a multifaceted and systematic campaign to isolate and pressure Vietnam’ (1208) which resulted in reduced international assistance to Vietnam, at that moment India stood with Vietnam. However, that was in the 20th century; now, China has an entirely new approach for Vietnam. In short, Vietnam becomes the critical factor, not just in Sino-Indian rivalry but also for the peace and prosperity in South Asia, so as in the world.

Exploring New Horizons India is exploring oil in Vietnamese sea; but it is also a need of hour to explore the new dimensions to create the India-Vietnam interconnection more stable and stronger, which could stay for longer, unaffected and indifferent by future political affairs. Efforts need to be made, in

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The United States of America under the Obama administration took many path-breaking diplomatic decisions that would stay for years. Restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, after decades of conflict, is one of such attempts. His decisions in the field of climate change would also stay for years, even after his presidency.

Efforts for Environment protection are not new; the first significant effort is the Stockholm Conference (1972). It is United Nations’ first attempt and considered as a turning point. It is credited for spreading the awareness about the topic. Later another milestone comes in 1992 at Rio, where 172 countries participated and together created a roadmap which is called Agenda-21 (non-legal binding). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992-Rio) is the first legally binding treaty on the protection of the environment, later cames the famous Kyoto Protocol (1997) which gives legal commitments to all the states, and most recent is Paris agreement (2016) which is ratified by 148 countries. It is a sad irony that the land where the Paris Accord was opened for signatures and came into force (New York), has now withdrawn. On 1st June 2017, President Trump announced to withdraw from Paris Accord and later formally withdrew in 2020. After this recent occurrence, India’s role in climate change has developed more. Well, America’s quitting climate deal is not strange, as, in history, it happens in every multilateral environment treaties. It has been seen that when there are many players, some superpowers and some going-to-be superpowers, then it happens that some signs but does not ratify, and some just quit giving excuses of their own development. On the other hand, bilateral relations have just two partners who want to work together. The threat also exists that if they broke a bilateral agreement, it would affect their relations.

What admirable and learnable about President Obama’s efforts is, that he made Environment protection a factor in bilateral relationships. This could be seen in U.S.-Vietnam relations. After years of non-diplomatic relations, when bilateral relations get back on track, the U.S. chooses to add environment protection as a part of the agreement. During his state visit in 2016, he signed a bilateral agreement on the U.S.-Vietnam Climate Partnership which includes these major points;

Table 2. U.S.-Vietnam Climate Partnership 1) The U.S. would assist in Vietnam's response to climate change and other environmental challenges 2) The U.S would assist in remediating Agent Orange/dioxin contamination 3) The U.S would help in strengthening the country's health and education systems, and assisting vulnerable populations 4) The United States is committed to partner with Vietnam to make a significant contribution to the cleanup of dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Air Base

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1064 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 5) Both sides also pledged to take several practical actions to advance climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as enhance transparency and capacity building through the U.S.-Vietnam Climate Partnership, including in the Mekong River Delta. 6) The United States has invested over $44 million since 2011 to help mitigate the impacts of climate change in Vietnam, one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to its effects. Note – Abovementioned statements are cited from U.S. Relations With Vietnam Fact sheet. (2016), released by the U.S. Department of State.

U.S. efforts of putting Environment on the bilateral platform could be seen through an MoU signed between the U.S. and China in 2010. Although the U.S. and China are clear rivals as the world’s biggest economies and disagree on most of the issues, still they agree on their cooperation on the vast range of key environmental issues as mentioned below;

Table 3 Environmental Issues covered in MoU 1) Green engineering 2) Clean Manufacturing 3) Green communities and green buildings operations 4) Environmental Protection in Transportation 5) Controls on pollution and emissions 6) Clean Vehicles Technologies 7) Pollution 8) Human health and ecological risks 9) Air pollution prevention technologies 10) Risk-based decision making related to environmental protection 11) Pollutant monitoring 12) Waste Management and Resources 13) Mining and smelting waste management 14) Life cycle approaches to manage used DND waste electric and electronic devices; 15) Watershed management and water and water treatment technologies 16) Urban environmental management 17) Climate change 18) Circular economy 19) Food safety 20) Exchange of data Source - U.S. State Department-MoU (2010) between the Environmental Protection Agency of The United States of America and the Ministry of Science And Technology of the People's Republic Of China on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection.

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1065 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 Through these agreements, the paper attempts to substantiate its argument that there is a wide range of issues, on which countries can work together. Problems related to environment see no border; it is a transboundary and transnational issue. Garrett Hardin once metaphorically said it as “tragedy of the commons” (Hardin 1968). As nature is a shared resource, so the environment problem also becomes a shared problem. Moreover, India and Vietnam are also part of climate change’s effects. So this is the suggested area of diplomacy could be a gamechanger in the field.

Importance of Environment Protection for Vietnam The question arises why one should be focusing on environment protection in a bilateral relationship with Vietnam. The answer comes through its environmental significance and effect of environmental and climate change on it. According to Climate Risk and Adaptation Country Profile of Vietnam (2011), Vietnam is in the list of one of the five countries that are likely to be MOST affected by climate change. The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery’s country profile of Vietnam (n.d.) further says the following;

Vietnam is one of the most hazard-prone countries in the East Asia and Pacific region. Located within the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean—this rapidly developing country is highly exposed to a variety of other natural hazards, such as typhoons, floods, droughts, sea water intrusion, landslides and forest fires. Typhoons and floods are the most frequent and devastating of these, resulting in numerous casualties and damaged livelihoods. With a coastline of 3,200 kilometers, an estimated 70 percent of the population live in coastal areas and low-lying deltas, and therefore have increased exposure to flooding risk. (1)

It describes that Vietnam’s survival, peace and prosperity depend on environment protection. Vietnam is at risk of environmental disaster. It does have a past, where it has endured many such disasters. One human-made disaster that will always be remembered for its adverse effect on the environment and inhabitants of Vietnam is Agent Orange. The U.S. has used it during the Vietnam War to defoliate and destroy crops and jungles, which gradually has entered into the food chain, and causing various diseases. Tragically its effect is still seen as children are born with diseases.

The South China Sea, which is considered important strategically, is also important because of its natural resources. It is ‘a rich source of hydrocarbons’ and it has ‘11 billion barrels of oil reserves and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves’ states the United States’ Department of Energy (2013). Vietnam holds a strong position on oils through its firm like in many areas of the sea.

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1066 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 The The environment is interconnected with economic growth. Vietnam, after economic reforms, has developed as one of the fastest-growing economies and often ranked as ‘best-performing economies’. Industrialization and production have increased, but on the other hand, as per World Bank report, “agriculture and fishing still contributes 21% of GDP of Vietnam and gives employment to around 47% of the workforce” (Climate Risk and Adaptation Country Profile 2011). The industrialization has majorly contributed to pollution. The climate change would affect the economic growth not just in the form of natural disasters caused by increasing level of the sea or increasing temperature, but also in the form of deleterious effects on agriculture, energy and trade.

Vietnam is a small country in size, but it is rich in natural resources. The adverse effects of climate change could affect its growth because Vietnam is depended on natural sources. Its geographic location in the Asia-Pacific region and topography makes it more dependent on nature than other countries. Economic growth and the environment are indispensable. So, by protecting the environment, the latter is also protected. We can clearly see the interconnection between environment protection and the country’s growth in Vietnam in the following points;

 Vietnam's energy sector, which includes fuel refineries, electricity generation system and its transportation sector contributes to climate change by the emission of carbon and other greenhouse gases. In defence, developing countries always say that energy is a need and alternative energy options are not affordable, without aid.

 In Vietnam major part of their economy is because of its sea. The oil industry and the shipping industry contribute to Ocean Pollution. As a result, many problems can be observed, such as effects on sea life (so on seafood), and mangroves etc. Vietnam's sea level is increasing by 2.8 mm per year due to climate change (CRACP-Vietnam. 2011).

 Farming is one of the foundations of Vietnam. Vietnam is the world's second-largest rice exporter (IFPRI-2010). Its rice production not only used for export but also gives food security. In agriculture, especially in rice farming, rain plays a vital role, but with the effect of climate change, rainfall pattern has changed, and the temperature is also increasing by an average of 0.4°C per year. As a result, some areas face floods during rains and some like south-central coast region, face prolonged droughts. Vietnam's , which is known for country's half of rice production, is now facing drought-like never before.

 Food protection makes a country independent. Giving tons of grains is not a solution but assisting in making it self-dependent, is the better way to help. Vietnam is in a region where climate change is capable of affecting the food security of the country. The effect

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1067 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 can be direct as on crop production by rainfalls, droughts or warmer temperature and indirect as on food availability, food affordability or inflation, food chain and poverty.

 Forestry of Vietnam has seen dramatic degradation with the rate of 54.5%, which makes Vietnam stand as the second most deforesting country. It could directly affect its rich natural resources and wildlife and indirectly affect food security. The direct culprit for deforestation was Agent Orange, then its industrial growth especially furniture, chemical industries, farming and urbanization.

Window for Opportunities

Environment protection process is long term initiative, so automatically the mutual-cooperation becomes longer. It even works when ideologically, there are differences, because it is not based on politics or military strategies, but based on mutual needs. That is why environmental protection is a way on which two countries like India and Vietnam; which are economically, culturally, and socially different, can walk together.

Indian firms are working on exploring oil in Vietnam Sea, but if India focuses on environment protection, it ought to help in cutting our dependence on foreign oil. It successfully has happened in America where they cut oil import from 11115 to 4711 barrels in 2015. Economic growth and the environment are indispensable. One cannot let go the other, without affecting the other. India and Vietnam both are developing countries and need to grow. Especially in the case of Vietnam, the environment needs to be protected for its prosperity and survival. As we know, Vietnam’s economy is also dependent on natural resources. The economic growth and environmental protection can successfully go together; this is what we can see in the U.S., where economic growth was 10% while carbon pollution was -9.4%.

India has given Vietnam continuous financial aids right from 1976 (table 1). It would be a more productive way to give financial support for the conservation of the environment and sustainable development technologies.

Moreover, now there is an emergence of ‘carbon credit’ after the Kyoto protocol, which makes countries to work bilaterally. It means that a country who works in any other country (for example, if India works in Vietnam), in reducing carbon emission and greenhouse gases; will earn credits that it can use for completing its own target. These are transferable and tradable credits.

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1068 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 Last but not least, countries are appreciated when they take the personal and bilateral initiative in preserving the environment. They get widely applauded and get respect internationally. Moreover, it helps to make a difference, in leading the world towards prosperity. Conclusion Vietnam is a small but beautiful developing country. It has seen hardships and wars in the past. In all the years of destruction and reconstruction, India has been a friend who stayed as a positive partner. India and Vietnam share a historical bond and later a similar kind of journey through colonialism. Both countries have various shared factors which play a significant role in making this friendship strong. This relationship does have two major external factors, the US and China which impact both of them. Knowing the strategic, political and economic importance of Vietnam, these superpowers have altered their foreign policies to increase their influence in South Asia. So in this changing scenario, India too needs to transform its relations with Vietnam so that it continues uninterruptedly, becomes more robust and stays for longer. Environment protection is one such area, which is closely connected with Vietnam as well as very significant for it. Vietnam is prone to natural disasters, and the threat is getting worse due to climate change. Environmental protection is not just for saving the environment, but it has a close connection with aspects of human need, such as food protection. For any developing country, there are five basics, which play a significant role in defining its bilateral relations. (1) Energy, (2) Food security, (3) Industrialization, (4) Improving the quality of life of the people, and (5) Economic growth. Environment protection touches all of these aspects, and that is why it automatically becomes important for a country. It is a factor that could be important in India and Vietnam bilateral alliance. In future political and strategic peaks and valleys, environment protection would result in a stronger and longer relationship as it is connected to the basic human needs. Environment protection could be the new horizon in the relationship between India and Vietnam.

June, 2021. VOL.13. ISSUE NO. 2 https://hrdc.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/Publication Page | 1069 Towards Excellence: An Indexed, Refereed & Peer Reviewed Journal of Higher Education /Mr. Somanand Saraswati & Dr. Urmi Satyan/Page 1056-1072 References

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Mr. Somanand Saraswati Phd Scholar School of Liberal Studies Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University Raisan, Gandhinagar-382 007 Gujarat,. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4391-5097 & Dr. Urmi Satyan Assistant Professor School of Liberal Studies Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University Raisan, Gandhinagar-382 007 Gujarat. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8616-158X

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