Vietnam, India mark five years of comprehensive strategic partnership

Addressing delegates attending a ceremony marking five years of the Vietnam – India comprehensive strategic partnership, Indian Foreign Minister S.Jashankar noted that both India and Vietnam have overcome numerous obstacles and challenges.to establish a strong friendship and trusted relationship.

The two countries always support each other at regional and international forums, from ASEAN to the United Nations, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the rest of the world, he said.

Jashankar affirmed what the two countries have recorded will be a solid foundation for the strong development of bilateral relations in the future.

India hopes that the two countries will continue to exploit their potential well, especially in the fields of economy and trade, engage in supply chains, and contribute to economic development of each country, he stressed.

In his address, Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue who was in India for an official visit affirmed said the Vietnam – India relationship is still ‘faithful and pure” despite global changes.

“Bilateral relations have recorded encouraging development achievements, based on five main pillars: politics & diplomacy; national defence & security; economy, trade and investment; science and technology; education-training, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges,” he said.

“Over the past five years, the two countries have conducted seven high-level reciprocal visits, laying the foundation for implementing signed cooperation agreements, and tightening political trust between the two countries,” he added.

The Vietnamese leader particularly hailed trade cooperation as a bright spot in bilateral relations, saying the two-way trade has grown at an average of 20% per annum since the two countries lifted their relationship to a level of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016 and is expected to reach over US$12 billion in 2021. India is currently one of the 10 Vietnam’s leading trading partners.

He said the two countries still have great potential for cooperation in the fields of science and technology, especially digital technology, information technology, space technology and civil nuclear technology. The post pandemic resumption of direct flights will be the key to promoting tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

In addition, Hue said that both Vietnam and India share common views on regional and international issues, including maintaining peace, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

Vietnam always attaches importance to relations with India and supports India’s Look East Policy, he affirmed.

He suggested that the two countries continue to work closely together to well implement the 2021-2023 Action Program to realize the comprehensive strategic partnership and the Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People approved in December 2020.  

The same day, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and many other officials attended the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition featuring 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India.