Amid escalating tensions with Beijing, the White House aims to boost ties with Hanoi. The administration has been careful not to cross potential red lines that might anger its northern neighbor, particularly in the South China Sea, where a miscalculation could lead to a military conflict.
Analysts say that will likely continue. The broader goal is to ensure Washington’s economic and strategic interests in the region are not eclipsed by rising Chinese power. Hanoi, an export production hub for global manufacturers like Samsung Electronics and LG and automakers like Toyota and Honda, will be critical to that effort.
But human rights concerns are unlikely to get much attention. The administration has promised to bring them up with Vietnamese leaders, but activists need to be more credible. They have been hampered by the government’s use of anti-terrorism laws, tax law violations, and NGO regulations to stifle activism.
A trip to Vietnam would mark Biden’s latest step in a multiyear campaign to improve U.S. standing in Asia, a region that the Obama administration largely ignored. The president, who has a reputation for being a master dealmaker, is expected to sign an agreement to elevate the relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” Hanoi’s top diplomatic rank. That could allow the countries to cooperate more closely on regional issues and counter China’s growing influence.
Vietnam has been a stalwart ally of the United States since ending a war in 1975 that left millions dead, including 58,000 Americans. But, the country’s authoritarian one-party regime has a poor record on human rights. It curtails freedom of association, assembly, and expression, restricts foreign investment, and imposes strict media controls.
Biden will become the latest in an unbroken line of presidents since Bill Clinton in 2000 to visit the Southeast Asian former foe, whose growing economic and political strength is raising fears of being drawn into a great-power rivalry. The administration is trying to build on this momentum to increase the role of ASEAN as a counterweight to China.
In addition to strengthening ties with Vietnam, Biden will hold talks in India on climate finance, reforming multilateral development banks, and improving regulation of digital public infrastructure, among other issues. The White House said he will also meet with business doyens in Delhi, the capital of India, which is hosting the G20 summit. This year’s gathering theme is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or The World Is One Family. It’s the first time a summit has been held under this slogan. The summit will be held from Sept. 7 to 10. Air India offers passengers with confirmed tickets to fly to and from Delhi a one-time waiver of charges for changing their dates or flights due to restrictions imposed for the event. The airline also offers a refund on flight changes required by Indian authorities.
