Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits India: An important milestone in bilateral relations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a State visit to India (July 30 - August 1) at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Responding to the press about the relationship between the two countries, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya said that India and Vietnam established full diplomatic relations in 1972, but in fact the relationship between the two countries had been formed before this time.

He emphasized that during the period from 1950 to 1972, the friendship between Vietnam and India was built by President Ho Chi Minh and Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and the people of the two countries on a solid foundation of peace and friendship.

Over the past 50 years, the two countries have together brought their bilateral relations to a new level of stability, continuity and sustainability. Notably, in 2016, during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Ambassador reviewed the outstanding achievements in the 52-year journey of bilateral relations, demonstrated in all aspects such as political understanding, cooperation and mutual support at international forums.

Regarding economic cooperation, bilateral trade has increased from less than 200 million USD to 15 billion USD. The Ambassador expressed that "economic cooperation has really changed over the past 50 years".

Regarding people-to-people exchange and cultural cooperation, notably the dissemination of yoga and the connection of Buddhism, the two countries have achieved many results. Regarding security-defense cooperation and strategic cooperation..."there have also been wonderful results".

"The above shows that the India-Vietnam relationship has a solid foundation and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit continues to strengthen the bilateral relationship," the Ambassador emphasized.

According to Ambassador Sandeep Arya, India is happy that the visit is taking place now after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnam and India established a Strategic Partnership in 2007, which was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016.

The Indian Ambassador said that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit is a very important occasion for the two sides to look back and discuss the potential for cooperation in all areas from politics, trade, economy, people-to-people exchange and security and defense cooperation in the context of the volatile world situation.

"Therefore, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit will be an important milestone in bilateral cooperation and continue to develop India-Vietnam relations," the Ambassador expected.

During the State visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to hold talks with the Indian Prime Minister, meet with the President, and meet with representatives of the country's Parliament...

The Vietnamese Prime Minister will also chair meetings and exchanges with Indian businesses and scholars.

Talking about key areas of cooperation, Ambassador Sandeep Arya shared that in the current world situation, for countries including Vietnam and India, economic growth and prosperous development are important priorities.

In the coming time, the two countries need to continue to actively promote trade and investment cooperation and increase business exchange opportunities to enhance the position of the two countries.

The two sides also need to find new opportunities for cooperation and mutual support; uphold the spirit of traditional solidarity and coordinate more closely at multilateral forums; and stand side by side to protect the common interests of the international community.

The Ambassador also analyzed the importance of promoting cooperation in areas of potential and strength of the two countries such as technology, telecommunications, renewable energy, and energy conversion. According to the Indian Ambassador, the future of prosperity and development of a country has an important role of technology. Therefore, the leaders of the two countries will discuss in depth this field of cooperation.

The Ambassador believes that the exchanges between the two countries' senior leaders will strengthen and promote the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to develop strongly, firmly and effectively, while opening up new practical cooperation opportunities.