Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ahead for India and Vietnam

WVR - India and Vietnam inherit strong mutual political understanding, appreciation for each other’s perspectives and considerable convergences in securing a conducive environment for peace, development and prosperity in Asia and globally.
Chủ tịch nước Nguyễn Xuân Phúc tiếp nhận Quốc thư của Đại sứ Ấn Độ Sandeep Arya. (Nguồn: TTXVN)
Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya presents his credentials to Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 26, 2022. (Photo: VNA)

As India and Vietnam celebrate the golden jubilee of the enormous legacy of strong bonds and deep affinity between the two countries, it is also a time for planning ahead not only to preserve it but also nurture our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership intertwined with national developmental priorities amid contemporary global realities.

My illustrious predecessor, in his observations, has reviewed the state of India-Vietnam relationship and recent trends across main dimensions of our partnership. The prospects for these ties ahead appear quite promising across the entire spectrum of human endeavours.

The two countries inherit strong mutual political understanding, appreciation for each other’s perspectives and considerable convergences in securing a conducive environment for peace, development and prosperity in Asia and globally. These provide natural synergy in our approaches to strengthen regional and international mechanisms starting from ASEAN-centric architecture, peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, multilateral governance structures anchored in the UN and its Security Council, respect for international law and rules-based order. Supporting efforts jointly in this direction resonates with national positions and interests of India and Viet Nam.

In December 2020, our leaders endorsed a Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People that provides the framework to delineate comprehensive efforts in various areas of cooperation by the two countries. Trade and investment often serve as a measure for economic ties that should be actively expanded from present levels. Beyond that, there are wider elements of collaboration and exchange of experiences which deserve to be pursued by India and Vietnam. Areas such as digital tools for governance, financial technologies, resilient supply chains, connectivity efforts, futuristic technologies adapted for development, blue economy, and applications of outer space may offer opportunities of mutual interest for our two countries.

Inclusive national development in the domains of education, health care, skill development, agriculture, clean energy, climate mitigation and adaptation have enormous congruence for our two countries. These could translate into further cooperation, exchange of experiences and mutual learning as we grow further nationally and jointly as part of the wider world.

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ahead  for India and Vietnam
Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang hosts welcome ceremony for his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh who is on an official visit to Viet Nam from June 7-10, 2022. (Photo: WVR)

Defence and security needs will always remain a fundamental element for nations. The strong foundation of mutual trust, experiences of cooperation in professional and specialized training, and emerging nature of challenges carry enormous potential for bilateral cooperation to supplement national efforts. Utilization of the excellent framework that has been developed in recent years could be advanced in multiple ways through further dialogue and cooperation between India and Vietnam.

Perceptible affinity among our people is rooted deeply in our history, culture and heritage such as Buddhism and ancient Cham links. Extensive exchanges between our academic institutions and think-tanks could be expanded further through student exchanges, seminars and joint research in areas of common interest. Cinema, media and broadcasting linkages would not only enrich our people-level connections but promote growing tourism and greater flow of people in both directions.

Ties among provinces, youth exchanges, yoga and traditional medicine such as Ayurveda are other threads with enormous potential for us. Healthy linkages between our parliamentary and other institutions are another facet of wider understanding, appreciation and support for the bilateral relations in the two countries.

The combination of excellent support of our political leadership and our converging interests, in the midst of a complex global environment generate strong rationale for expanding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. The Governments in the two countries have demonstrated strong resolve to realize the potential of our bilateral ties. This effort could benefit from further impulse by both countries as they develop nationally and contribute to regional and global peace, security and prosperity.

As we mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Viet Nam this year, I look forward to be a contributor to the journey of this partnership in the years to come.

TIN LIÊN QUAN
President hosts new Ambassadors of El Salvador, India, RoK
Vietnam, India promote stronger cooperation in information, communication
Communist parties of Vietnam, India advance cooperation
Event held in India to introduce Vietnamese culture
Vietnam Days in India 2022: A half century buiding up traditional friendship
Sandeep Arya
Ambassador of India to Vietnam