On 10 April 2024, Dr. Huynh Thanh Lap, the Chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, led a delegation to meet Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The Vietnamese delegation paid a familiarisation visit to India from 7-11 April 2024. According to the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, “Vietnam-India Friendship Association, Ho Chi Minh City delegation led by chairman visited from 7-11 April 2024 and met Secretary (East) in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar as well as @indfoundation & Indian scholars.”
Meeting with Secretary (East)
Shri Jaideep Mazumdar highlighted the growth in bilateral relations between Vietnam and India, which catapulted after both governments elevated the ties to the status of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He also pointed out the importance of Vietnam in India’s Act East policy. He noted how the bilateral ties between the two countries have been diversified across political exchanges, trade and investment relations, defence partnerships, energy security, cultural cooperation, development cooperation, and people-to-people ties. Shri Jaideep congratulated Vietnam on its economic sector progress and impressive strides as an investment and export hub.
Comments by the Chairman
Dr. Huynh Thanh Lap thanked Shri Jaideep for the warm reception and hospitality. He further acknowledged both nations’ efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. He also appreciated India’s scientific research, defence, and information technology progress. Dr. Huynh highlighted how aspects of Indian culture, particularly yoga, found increasing resonance with the Vietnamese community. Dr. Huynh commented on the increase in direct flights between India and Vietnam and noted the advanced people-to-people ties.
Visit to Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, New Delhi
The Vietnamese delegation visited the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya museum to pay tribute to the glorious political history of India. According to the museum’s official Facebook page, “They were warmly welcomed by our Chairman, Shri Nripendra Misra and Vice Chairman, Dr. A Surya Prakash. Dr. Lap was highly impressed by the hospitality extended by the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya. In his comments, he highlighted the importance of India’s independence story and expressed admiration for how well it’s being preserved. Their visit strengthened the friendship between the two Countries.”
India’s Ties with Vietnam
Bilateral ties between India and Vietnam date back to 7 January 1972. In July 2007, bilateral relations between the two were raised to the status of strategic partnership with the visit of Vietnam’s former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to India. The Vietnam visit of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi further elevated bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The strategic cooperation between Vietnam and India is crucial to advancing India’s Act East Policy. Such deep ties will help support Prime Minister Modi’s initiative of SAGAR (Security and Growth All in the Region). Currently, relations between Vietnam and India follow the “Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People” jointly adopted by former Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2020.
Shri Jaideep Mazumdar and Dr. Huynh Thanh Lap reiterated their commitment to further advance and strengthen bilateral relations between India and Vietnam.
