In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in India on the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the CPV, Raja noted that the ability to confront shortcomings honestly and adjust policies in line with reality, without abandoning socialist principles, is a hallmark of a mature revolutionary party.

According to Raja, the feasibility of the development commitments outlined in the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress is underpinned by Vietnam’s major achievements over recent decades in poverty reduction, social stability, and national development. He stressed that the Party’s strong grassroots foundation, mass-oriented approach, and tight organisational discipline remain vital sources of strength for translating these goals into reality.

He said that the 14th National Congress of the CPV comes at a critical juncture, as the world faces profound upheavals marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and deep structural crises within global capitalism.

Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s decision to pursue a new growth model driven by science, innovation, and digital transformation reflects strategic vision, confidence, and a clear grasp of the requirements of the times.

Moving beyond a growth model built on cheap labour and resource exploitation, Vietnam is transitioning toward knowledge- and technology-driven development underpinned by national planning to better the quality of the productive forces, Raja said.

Crucially, the transition is guided by a socialist orientation that prioritises science and technology for national development and social progress. It affirms that socialism in Vietnam is a dynamic and adaptive process, capable of creatively responding to new historical conditions while consistently placing people’s welfare and national sovereignty at its core.

He noted that integrating environmental protection with socio-economic development in the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress demonstrates Vietnam’s growing awareness of the ecological limits of unchecked growth and the imperative to safeguard people’s livelihoods in the context of climate change.

Enhancing the role of diplomacy and international integration reflects Vietnam’s rising standing in a multipolar world, while underscoring the importance of an independent and principled foreign policy that both safeguards national interests and contributes to international peace and cooperation, he added.

Raja also noted that the renewed emphasis on culture, people, and the private sector reflects Vietnam’s holistic approach to development, in which culture serves as the foundation of social cohesion and national strength, people are taken as the subject and centre of development, and the private sector is recognised pragmatically within a framework where the socialist state retains its strategic guiding role.

According to the Indian official, these priorities establish a coherent roadmap for Vietnam to become an upper-middle-income country with a modern industrial base by 2030 and realise its vision of becoming a developed, prosperous, and socially equitable nation by 2045.

Looking ahead to the next five years, Raja emphasised that Vietnam’s top priority is consolidating its transition to a knowledge-based economy, ensuring that advances in science, technology, and innovation benefit society as a whole. Strengthening public education, skills development, and research systems is seen as key to driving innovation without increasing inequality, while supporting sustainable development linked to environmental protection.

He also highlighted the importance of promoting social justice and socialist democracy through the active participation of workers, farmers, youth, and women in policymaking and enforcement.

Regarding the foreign policy, Vietnam’s steadfast commitment to peace, cooperation, and independent multilateralism will remain a key pillar of its development strategy, he stated.

Raja also underscored the significance of the CPV’s 14th National Congress for Vietnam’s development as well as leftist and progressive movements worldwide. He said that the success of the important political event will ultimately be measured by how effectively its directions and commitments translate into tangible improvements in the lives and social welfare of the Vietnamese people, thus further affirming Vietnam’s credibility and role in the global progressive and peace movements.

Party Congress opens with confidence and resolve to realise development ambitions

VOV.VN - The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam opened in Hanoi on January 19, marking a pivotal political milestone that is expected to shape the country’s development trajectory in a new era focused on rapid, sustainable and inclusive growth.