Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son metIndian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on the occasion his visit to Vietnam, the October 15-17, 2023.
My greetings to all Vietnamese nationals on the occasion of the National Day of Vietnam. As India and Vietnam work together to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership, it is an occasion to recall that bilateral diplomacy and foreign policy have served as solid strong pillars for our ties and they should continue to guide ahead and steer the broadening and deepening cooperation with strategic undertones between our two countries.
September 2nd relates to Vietnam’s extraordinary journey of independence, its impressive progress as a nation. It reminds us also of a steady journey of sound, unwavering friendship and solidarity between India and Vietnam right from the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi in March-April 1947 where President Ho Chi Minh’s message to the Conference was read out by his representatives. This participation represented Vietnam’s diplomacy active long back 77 years ago and the role of diplomacy in broader India-Viet Nam relations right from the period of independence of our two countries.
In April this year, Vietnam observed 70th anniversary of Geneva Accords of 1954, which are viewed as a milestone for both Vietnam and its diplomacy. It was also a significant year for India-Vietnam relations as it saw the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Ha Noi and assumption of India’s Chairmanship of the International Commission constituted following the Accords.
President Ho Chi Minh’s nine-day visit to India in 1958 brought out what he described at the end of his visit as “the voices of friendship everywhere” and “brotherhood” between the people of the two countries. The consistency and steadfastness of India-Vietnam friendship and solidarity throughout the last seven decades is an exceptional feature of bilateral diplomatic relations and our respective foreign policies.
In the period of 1980s, Vietnam’s Prime Minister described our relationship as “cloudless blue sky” which represented it being free from any shadows whatsoever and even afar, and what I would call truly strategic relationship. These ties were elevated naturally as a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Viet Nam in 2016.
Vietnam’s description of its foreign policy tenets of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification of relations would resonate with observers of Indian diplomacy. The convergence in the world view of our two countries found reflection in the Joint Statement during the State visit of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to India four weeks back and the two leaders in the context of the current geo-political realities, called for closer cooperation between India and Vietnam. I believe that this closer partnership could be a source of strength and comfort for both countries amid a complex and volatile world presently.
Today, India and Vietnam are pursuing their national vision for economic growth and development encapsulated in ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) @2047 and Vietnam’s vision to become a high-income developed country by 2045. We both are among the fastest growing economies at about 7% and our respective visions desire us both to sustain a high growth path in the coming decades. This rapid growth and emerging role of technology in economy is generating opportunities for us to strengthen our economic cooperation. During the recent State visit, the leaders of India and Vietnam agreed to reinforce cooperation at the level of our governments and businesses for increasing two-way trade, investment and technological partnership.
The two foreign ministries have decided to institute a Deputy Minister level economic diplomacy dialogue over and above another institutional mechanism between our Deputy Foreign Ministers on Political Consultations and Strategic Dialogue. Our Foreign Ministers also chair the Joint Commission on broader relations between the two countries. We also have policy planning dialogue, maritime security dialogue, discussions on international organizations and excellent cooperation between our Missions to United Nations and international organizations in New York, Geneva, Paris (UNESCO) and others.
| The Prime Minister of Vietnam in the Leaders’ Session of the third Voice of Global South Summit hosted by the Prime Minister of India virtually on 17 August 2024. |
As India and Vietnam secure their due place in the international arena, we also seek to coordinate and work together in global affairs. In the recent Joint Statement during PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to India, our leaders affirmed support for a greater voice and role for Global South in international affairs. We were glad to have the participation of the Prime Minister of Vietnam in the Leaders’ Session of the third Voice of Global South Summit hosted by the Prime Minister of India virtually on 17 August 2024. The ‘Global Development Compact’ put forth by our Prime Minister at this Summit could support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals comprising four elements: trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, technology sharing, project specific concessional finance and grants.
India is taking initiatives to advance global interests and priorities. We welcome Viet Nam’s joining of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure based in New Delhi and wait for its participation in the International Solar Alliance also located in India. These initiatives will enable sharing of experiences, learning from global best practices and mobilize international support for financing and technology in areas of common interest.
It is increasingly recognized that global governance and financial institutions set up in last century are not able to offer solutions to global challenges of the 21st century. Reformed multilateralism is the need of the hour to revive credibility of UN and its institutions. We also need to uphold the principles of international law and rules-based order which are becoming increasingly important for the world.
India-Vietnam relations are synergic with India-ASEAN cooperation and it is noteworthy that our comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam preceded by 6 years the one with ASEAN. Under India-ASEAN framework, Centre of Excellence for Software Development and Training is being operationalized in Ho Chi Minh City currently and another centre for satellite tracking, data reception station and data processing facility is under implementation in Vietnam. India-ASEAN Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific offers avenues for further bilateral and regional activities, similar to those being undertaken with some ASEAN member states. Mekong Ganga Cooperation framework covering quick impact projects and capacity building has potential to play a greater role bilaterally and in the regional context.
As India and Vietnam work together to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership, it is an occasion to recall that bilateral diplomacy and foreign policy have served as solid strong pillars for our ties and they should continue to guide ahead and steer the broadening and deepening cooperation with strategic undertones between our two countries.
