India and Vietnam held the 12th round of Political Consultations and the 9th round of Strategic Dialogue on Monday, 30th of May. The dialogue was held between the foreign ministries of the two countries and it explored new opportunities for partnership to support each other’s economic development and national defence. Shri Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), MEA visited Hanoi on the 30th of May, 2022 and co-chaired the meeting with his counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu.
The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and his counterpart, Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Tan Phuc adopted the “Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People” during a Virtual Summit in December 2020. In the 12th round of political consultations, both sides reviewed the recent developments in this “Joint Vision” and talked about enhancing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over “the sustained momentum in their multifaceted relations, despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with frequent high-level engagements,” as reported by the MEA. A recent telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the General Secretary of Communist Party of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, as well as the visit of Speaker of Lok Sabha to Vietnam in April 2022 has also proved to be beneficial in enhancing the diplomatic ties between the two countries.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said that the discussions covered bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest between two Comprehensive Strategic Partners.
The MEA statement said that the two sides agreed to enhance connectivity and promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges corresponding to the shared Buddhist linkages in both the countries and the popularity of Yoga in Vietnam.
Shri Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East) also reaffirmed India’s position of regarding Vietnam as an important bilateral partner in India’s Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision. He also conveyed India’s acceptance in continuing to extend development and capacity building assistance to Vietnam through multiple initiatives like “Quick Impact Projects, ITEC and e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, digital connectivity and heritage conservation” as per a report by the MEA.
The close coordination at regional and multilateral levels between India and Vietnam also proved to be beneficial in enhancing their bilateral cooperation in accordance with the ASEAN’s outlook on Indo-Pacific which is to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all.
Shri Saurabh Kumar also called on the Foreign Minister of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Bui Thanh Son and conveyed EAM’s greetings to him and invited him to visit India in June 2022 for the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Delhi Dialogue.
This year, India and Vietnam are celebrating the 50th anniversary of India-Vietnam Diplomatic Ties, therefore, discussions regarding the necessary cooperation agenda for the future including high-level exchanges and activities marking the celebrations were also held.
