(Chinhphu.vn) - On March 19, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Vietnam organized an international conference with the theme "The role of India and Vietnam in development cooperation in the Southern Hemisphere".
Workshop "The role of India and Vietnam in development cooperation in the Southern Hemisphere"
The workshop attracted the participation of many leading scholars, researchers and experts from Vietnam and India.
Speaking at the Workshop, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya emphasized the importance of promoting cooperation between countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Mr. Sandeep Arya referred to the Joint Statement of India and Vietnam during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s state visit to India six months ago. In it, the two Prime Ministers agreed that the current geopolitical situation requires closer cooperation between Vietnam and India. The two leaders also noted many similarities in world vision, expressing support for a greater voice and role for Southern countries in international relations.
According to Ambassador Sandeep Arya, India has implemented many cooperation initiatives to support countries in the Southern Hemisphere. India has used public digital infrastructure as a powerful tool for widespread digital transformation from social welfare programs to inclusive finance, e-government and many other digital services. Currently, India is expanding these experiences to some countries in the Southern Hemisphere such as Cambodia, Philippines...
Another area where India has been proactive is in establishing frameworks for cooperation among countries, namely the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI); the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). In addition, education and skill development is also an area of interest to the countries of the Global South and has the potential for extensive cooperation.
Ambassador Sandeep Arya said that India is working towards the vision of a developed India by 2047 (India@2047) while Vietnam is working towards Vision 2045, which are two important development milestones for the two countries. In that journey, Southern Hemisphere cooperation will continue to be a strategic focus, helping the two countries affirm their international position and actively contribute to the common development of the region and the world.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trung, Director of the Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) affirmed: The theme of the Conference is not only academic but also has profound practical significance for the sustainable development of developing countries, including India and Vietnam.
In a world of many changes, from economic challenges, climate change to the shift in the international balance of power, cooperation with the Global South has become one of the top priorities. Developing countries, including India and Vietnam, are increasingly playing an important role in creating a fairer and more sustainable international system.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trung, Vietnam is accelerating its reform of the apparatus, aiming for double-digit economic growth in the era of development. Vietnam is also considered an important bridge between ASEAN and major economies, with a flexible foreign policy and the ability to integrate deeply.
Meanwhile, India has strong technological and financial potential and is one of the largest emerging economies in the world. With a large population and developed science and technology, India can provide technological and financial solutions to the countries of the Southern Hemisphere in the process of digital transformation and sustainable development.
Looking back at the current global context, it can be seen that cooperation between countries in the Southern Hemisphere is not only a need, but also an inevitable trend. Vietnam and India, with their strengths and commitments to cooperation, need to turn today's commitments into practical actions, create stronger links, and make more practical contributions to the common development of the region and the world.
The workshop focused on discussing four main topics: the importance of the Southern Hemisphere in the new context; the role of India and Vietnam in development cooperation in the Southern Hemisphere; opportunities and challenges in Vietnam-India cooperation; potential and solutions to promote India-Vietnam cooperation in development of the Southern Hemisphere.
Scholars and experts agree that Vietnam and India have impressive economic growth rates and share interests in promoting a multipolar, balanced and sustainable world. Both countries have important strategic positions in the Indo-Pacific region, which is becoming the center of global trade and technology flows.
Cooperation between Vietnam and India will not only help the two countries better exploit development opportunities, but also contribute to creating a more multipolar, balanced and equitable world. Sharing knowledge, transferring technology and jointly building new economic initiatives will help the countries of the Southern Hemisphere enhance their position in the international arena.
Thu Giang
