ABSTRACT

The year 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam. In this period the world has changed enormously. The last two decades, in particular, have spurred a restructuring of power around the globe, more so in Asia. It seems to be proceeding at a palpable speed, in contrast to the gradual and glacial changes that often characterise international relations in general and diplomacy in particular.