a. Vietnam:

Vietnam was under the Japanese occupation since the end of the First World War. Under the table leadership of Ho Chi Minh the Viet Minh, a people’s army offered stiff resistance to the Japanese. After the end of the Second World War Ho Chi Minh became the President of the area (North Vietnam) under the control of the Viet Minh.

Meanwhile France gained control over some parts of Vietnam (South Vietnam) on the ground that originally Vietnam and for matter of that the entire Indo-China was her (French) colony. After a prolonged fight between North and South in the Geneva Conference (1954) it was agreed to partition Vietnam temporarily (at the 38 Parallel) and to hold elections all over Vietnam.

Now began South Vietnam’s fight against the North with the support of the USA. The Vietnam War took a decisive turn in 1975 when the American troops began to withdraw from Vietnam. After the withdrawal of the American troops North and South Vietnam were formally united as one country in 1976.

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b. Indonesia:

Indonesia was under the Dutch rule. As early as in 1927 the National Party was organized with the sole purpose to achieve independence. During the Second World War Indonesia came to be occupied by Japan. After the defeat of Japan in the Second World War. Sukarno, the leader of the freedom movement in Indonesia, proclaimed independence.

But within short time war was started by Holland to restore the Dutch rule in Indonesia. In this critical situation India played a very important role. A conference was convened in Delhi where many Asian nations pledged their support to Indonesia’s independence.

However, resistance of the people of Indonesia as also the pressure of the world opinion in Indonesia’s favour ultimately compelled Holland to recognize the independence of Indonesia in 1949.