Vijay Thakur, Secretary (East) at the External Affairs Ministry of India, speaks at the round-table. (Photo: VNA) New Delhi (VNA) – India feels that maritime links through theEast Sea are critical to peace, stability, prosperity and development of theIndo-Pacific region due to which it is vital to ensure freedom of navigation.
The statement was made by Vijay Thakur, Secretary (East) at the ExternalAffairs Ministry of India, at a round-table on “Vietnam-India Relations: FromTraditional Bonds to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” held by theVietnamese Embassy in India on November 21.
India has been very clear on its vision for Indo-Pacific to be an open,inclusive and rule-based region, and in that context New Delhi has acknowledgedthe great importance of the East Sea - an international waterway through which 5trillion USD worth of goods and over 30 percent of international crude oilsupplies transit, she said.
"We also believe that there should be a rule-based order where there isrespect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and there must be peacefulresolutions of disputes and there should be no threat or use of force. Thecountries are engaged in negotiating a code of conduct. We hope this code ofconduct respects international law," she said.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau said Vietnam appreciatesIndia's position on the East Sea issue, which is especially relevant in the contextof recent incidents in its territorial waters.
He said Vietnam and India have more than 15mechanisms to strengthen bilateral ties, adding that Vietnam hopes to closelycooperate with India in cyber and defence security.
The two countries have signed many agreements economic cooperation, theambassador added.
Associate Professor, Dr. Le Van Toan, President of the Science Councilof the Centre for Indian Studies under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy ofPolitics, highlighted the factors affecting the Vietnam-India relationship atpresent and in the future.
The new context and visions require Vietnam and India to strengthen theirsolidarity, enhance political trust and support each other in development, hesaid./.
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