Vietnamese Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh (centre) at the workshop on Vietnam-India relations in New Delhi on January 9 (Photo: VNA) New Delhi (VNA)– Vietnam-India relations have become more important to peace, stability anddevelopment of the two countries, as well as peace, security and cooperation inthe Indo-Pacific region, said Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh.
Thanh made the remark while addressing aworkshop on India-Vietnam ties amid the changing geopolitical situation in theIndo-Pacific held at the India International Centre in New Delhi on January 9.
The event saw theattendance of scholars and researchers from the University of Delhi, JawaharlalNehru University and Sri Venkateswara University of India, Indian Council ofWorld Affairs, King’s College London of the UK, Centre for China Analysis andStrategy, along with those from Vietnam.
Thanh said although the global and regionalsituation is complex and unpredictable, peace, cooperation and development arestill a common trend, saying that scientific-technological development andglobalisation are bringing countries and regions, including the Indo-Pacific,closer in terms of economy and security. The Indo-Pacific region holds anincreasingly important role in strategies of many countries, especially majorones, he added.
He noted the growing importance of Vietnam-Indiaties comes from the fact that both nations’ economic potential and positionshave considerably improved over the last years thanks to their continuouseconomic growth and proactive foreign policies.
According to the ambassador, India plays aleading role in the Indian Ocean region, while Vietnam holds an importantgeopolitical position in the Pacific region. They are facing similaropportunities and challenges, he said, noting that both are located in stronglydeveloping regions and they need to make use of this opportunity by enhancingcooperation and mutual support so as to develop more rapidly and sustainably.
At the workshop, participants shared a view thatin recent years, Vietnam has played an important role in India’s “Act East”policy and been also a crucial partner in sub-regional, regional andmultilateral forums. The elevation of their strategic partnership, set up in2007, to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016 is a clear demonstrationof the importance they attach to this relationship.
Vietnam and India have worked to intensifycooperation in various spheres, including politics, defence-security, trade,energy, science-technology, capacity building, connectivity, health care, education,culture, tourism, people-to-people exchange, and cooperation at internationaland regional forums, participants said.
The workshop featured four panel discussions, focusingon Vietnam’s position in India’s Act East policy and the bilateral relations ina changing Indo-Pacific structure.-VNA
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