The Institute for Indian and South-West Asian Studies (IISAS) made debut on Jan. 7 on the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of the Vietnam-India diplomatic ties (Jan. 7, 1972).

The institute is expected to open new historical pages in the relations between Vietnam and India as well as South-West Asian countries, said Associate Prof. Dr. Ngo Xuan Binh, IISAS Director.

Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama highlighted the important role held by the institute in providing in-deep and accurate information about India and South-West0020Asian countries, thus, assisting the Vietnamese Government in expanding relations with the countries in all fields, particularly in culture, economy and trade.

On the same day, IISAS, which runs under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, coordinated with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies to organise a seminar on promoting bilateral relations between Vietnam and India in the new global context.

Scientists and researchers from the two countries deliberated the strategic partnership between Vietnam and India in economics, public security, history, culture, social affairs and politics.

Apart from issues regarding Indian philosophy, environmental pollution, exclusive economic zones, and the effects of the Indian culture on Vietnam were also mentioned.

Dr. Vo Khanh Vinh from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies said progress has been made in the relationship between the two countries in politics, national defence and human resource development.

The bilateral traditional relationship, Look East oriented policy, India’s scientific and technological potentials, and Vietnam’s renewal process are good factors that help further the relations between the two countries, noted Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Xuan Binh from the IISAS.

The launch of a direct air service between the two countries is an urgent need to boost tourism and economic exchange, Binh added./.