Seven MoUs were signed between Government of India and four southern Provinces of Vietnam — Ben Tre, Hau Giang, Kien Giang and Tien Giang — at a ceremony held on 23 September 2020 in Can Tho city to implement India’s development assistance for water resource management projects in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta Region.
The MOUs were signed in the presence of Ambassador of India to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Pranay Verma by the Consul General of India at Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi and officials of the four beneficiary Provinces. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and Can Tho City government were also present.
The grant assistance is being extended through Government of India’s Quick Impact Project (QIP) programme under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework, which are geared towards direct socio-economic benefits to the grassroots community through short gestation projects. These seven projects are part of 26 QIPs so far undertaken by India in 22 provinces of Vietnam, out of which 13 have already been completed, while 12 new projects are being extended in the fiscal year 2020-21.
The seven projects entail a total grant assistance of US$ 350,000 covering diverse water resource management activities and infrastructure such as rainwater harvesting, water reservoir, clean water supply pipelines, new irrigation models to prevent drought and saline water intrusion etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Pranay Verma identified development cooperation as an important pillar of India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and highlighted the long tradition of India’s development partnership with Vietnam that has left behind a successful legacy of institutional and capacity building support in diverse sectors over the years, including centres of excellence like the Cuu Long Rice Research Institute in Can Tho.
Senior officials from the four beneficiary Provinces, in their remarks, conveyed their deep appreciation to Government of India for this support and noted that these projects will be of great help to local communities in the Cuu Long Delta Region in overcoming the impact of climate change, drought and saltwater intrusion that is currently threatening their livelihood and production activities.
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