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| U.S. and Vietnam defense officials | Photo: U.S. Department of Defense website. |
In recent remarks, Jedidiah P. Royal, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, highlighted the expanding defense cooperation and shared security interests between the United States and Vietnam.
On September 9, 2023, President Joe Biden visited Hanoi, where both nations agreed to enhance their relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership that encompasses diplomatic, economic, and defense initiatives.
A year later, on the same date, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reiterated the U.S. commitment to strengthening ties during a meeting with Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang at the Pentagon. Austin emphasized efforts to address the legacies of the Vietnam War, which include accounting for missing individuals and dealing with the repercussions of Agent Orange, as well as the removal of unexploded ordnance.
Royal noted that approximately 700,000 unexploded devices have been cleared, and the local population is being educated on the associated dangers. Vietnam has also played a crucial role in identifying 700 Americans who died during the conflict and assisting in their repatriation with military honors.
These initiatives foster trust between the two nations, according to Royal. Current efforts also aim to enhance industrial resilience and improve Vietnam’s maritime awareness and defense capabilities. He mentioned a recent visit by the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche to Cam Ranh, along with Vietnam's hosting of multilateral missions.
Royal concluded by stressing the shared values that unite nations in the Indo-Pacific and the U.S., including respect for sovereignty, the rule of law, free commerce, and peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue.
tags: Asia Pacific, Indo Pacific, Pacific region, FOIP, Free and Open Indo Pacific,
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