Vietnam-India ties grow strongly over 50 years: Ambassador

New Delhi (VNA) – The relationship between Vietnam and India has grown significantly over the past 50 years, with India becoming one of the leading partners of Vietnam, Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau told Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (January 7, 1972-2022).

Over that time, bilateral ties have expanded across all fields, the diplomat said, stressing that Vietnam hopes to further bolster this partnership.

The ambassador said that various activities have been conducted to celebrate the anniversary, including high-level visits and the signing of a 500-million-USD credit agreement in the defence area.

Vietnam and India are working together towards the target of 15 billion USD in two-way trade, he said, adding that Vietnam hopes to welcome a new investment wave from India.

Along with the activities to boost bilateral relations, Vietnam and India has sought new cooperation areas. A statue of President Ho Chi Minh in New Delhi and another of Indian national hero Mahatma Gandhi will also be inaugurated, he said.

The diplomat showed his optimism about the bright future of the ties, elaborating that together with a firm foundation from long-standing traditional friendship, Vietnam and India have suplementary economic structures, and much experience to share with each other. Vietnam can learn from India in digital technology, science-technology, space and nuclear energy, while sharing with India its experience in social management and poverty reduction.

The ambassador held that in order to make bilateral ties further thrive, Vietnam and India should work more closely together at the international arena, while supporting each other in protecting their national interest, especially in sovereignty and territorial security.

He noted that as two non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, Vietnam and India have showed good coordination and many similarities in viewpoints over regional and international issues, and made joint efforts in ensuring the world order basing on respect to international law, including the UN Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

Besides, the two countries should optimise resources from each other for development, while focusing on promoting investment cooperation to create an Indian investment wave to Vietnam, he underlined.

Ambassador Chau also stressed the need for both sides to continue increasing delegation exchanges at all levels and through all channels as well as the people-to-people exchange./.