Vietnam - fulcrum in ASEAN for India’s Act East Policy: researcher

Illustrative image (Photo: cis.org.vn)

New Delhi (VNA) - Vietnam is the fulcrum in the ASEAN grouping forIndia to execute its Act East Policy, Dr. Rajaram Panda, senior researcher atthe Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, told the Vietnam News Agency on theoccasion of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s official visit toIndia.

“Without Vietnam’s active support and cooperation, Indiawould have felt constrained to execute many of the projects as a part of itsAct East Policy,” Panda affirmed, adding that Vietnam is a very willing partnerin this policy.

“Among the ten ASEAN member grouping, I think India’s relationship with Vietnamis something special,” he added.

Dr. Rajaram Panda, senior researcher at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (Photo: VNA)

Regarding the visit of NA Chairman Hue to India, he statedthat this visit sends a very powerful message to the world, that India andVietnam are on the same page on many regional issues and cooperate closely inthe changing regional and international situations.

For the East Sea issue, the Indian scholar emphasised thatthe East Sea is actually a main concern not only for India and Vietnam but alsofor many other countries in the region because the way China has been expandingits maritime footprint, island building and also the militarisationof the islands within the East Sea. These are all matter of concern because the East Sea is a global common which no country should claim as its own, he said.

He stressed the need for a collective, cooperativeunderstanding amongst countries involved so as to secure the East Sea for freenavigation that will ultimately lead to regional peace and stability./.

VNA