India, Vietnam boost multifaceted cooperation

The meetings were co-hosted by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu and Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar.

The two sides reviewed recent developments in the Vietnam – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership guided by the Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and People adopted by the two Prime Ministers during their online summit in December 2020 and the 2021-2023 Action Plan signed by the two Foreign Ministers.

They expressed satisfaction at the positive development of the multifaceted bilateral relationship, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, through regular high-level exchanges, including a recent phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong of Vietnam, as well as the Vietnam visit by Speaker of the Indian House of Representatives Om Birla.

The two sides were pleased to see that bilateral trade turnover rose 36% in 2021 compared to 2020 to reach US$13.2 billion and is on track towards the target of US$15 billion.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu highly appreciated India’s support in medical equipment as well as vaccine production technology transfer, helping Vietnam overcome the pandemic.

He suggested that India continue to create favourable conditions for bilateral trade and increase investment in Vietnam in various fields such as oil and gas, auto supporting industries, information technology, renewable energy, and agriculture, high-technology and innovation.

Secretary Kumar reaffirmed India’s view that Vietnam is a key partner in New Delhi’s Act East policy and Indo-Pacific Vision.

He also noted that India is ready to continue to reinforce development assistance and capacity building outreach in Vietnam by expanding the Mekong - Ganga Quick Impact Projects and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program (ITEC) and e-ITEC programmes in diverse sectors, as well as increasing PhD scholarships, digital connectivity and heritage preservation.

The two sides agreed to enhance physical and digital connectivity, and promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges, along with taking advantage of the common links about Buddhism and the popularity of Yoga in Vietnam.

They vowed to coordinate closely to jointly carry out activities to mark 50 years bilateral diplomatic relations, including erecting statues of famous leaders, launching a common logo and opening direct flights between major cities of the two countries to enhance post-pandemic tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, especially in the context of the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. They examined new opportunities to support each other in economic development and ensure national security.

They acknowledged their close coordination at regional and multilateral forums, and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in line with India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook Vision on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) to achieve common security, prosperity and growth for all countries in the region.

With regard to the East Sea, they agreed on the necessity of maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, development and respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as respecting sovereignty, sovereign rights of nations and freedom of aviation and navigation.