Enhancing Vietnam-India Cooperation in the Digital Era

At the event.

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Vietnam - India Friendship Association (VIFA) held a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-India's diplomatic relations (January 7, 1972 - January 7, 2022) in Hanoi on Jan. 6.

The event was attended by Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Member of the Party Central Committee; Minister of Information and Communications and President of VIFA Nguyen Manh Hung; President of VUFO, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga; Vice President and General Secretary of VUFO Phan Anh Son, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma. Besides, representatives of ministries, departments, VIFA, and diplomatic missions also attended the ceremony.

Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan

“India – Vietnam relationship is like a clear sky with no clouds”

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said that Vietnam and India established consular relations in May 1956 and officially upgraded to full diplomatic relations on January 7, 1972. After the two countries gained independence, the close relationship was laid down by President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, cultivated by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. As said by late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, Vietnam-India friendship is "a clear sky with no clouds."

Over the last 50 years, especially since the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2007 and a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, cooperation between the two countries has become more substantive and effective including in politics - diplomacy, defense - security, commerce - economy, science - technology; education - training and culture - people-to-people exchange.

Besides the flourishing political relations, Vietnam and India are important economic and development partners.

India is among Vietnam's ten largest trading partners with bilateral trade turnover growing by 20% annually on average and potentially reaching the target of USD 12 billion this year despite the negative impact of the pandemic.

India currently has over 300 investment projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of USD 1 billion, ranking 26th out of 41 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Cooperation in the fields of agriculture, culture, education, security, national defense, and people-to-people exchanges has been expanded. Substantive progress in those fields has been achieved.

At the event

Vietnam consistently pursues the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralization, and diversification of international relations. Vietnam will always be a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community.

On the path to renovating, integrating with the international community, and realizing the country's development aspirations, the Party, Government and people of Vietnam consider India an important partner and a trusted friend. Vietnam attaches great importance to developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with India and appreciates that India considers Vietnam a priority in its "Act East" policy.

"Against the ongoing regional and international context with many challenges and opportunities, it is of greater importance for us to reflect the merits of the leaders and people of the two countries who have attempted to nurture Vietnam - India's relations, and further promote traditional, fruitful and loyal friendship," said Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

She emphasized that Vietnam and India needed to promote cooperation in priority areas such as information technology, innovation, energy, digital transformation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, tourism, green economy, climate change response, human resource training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges to enhance the strengths of both countries for post-pandemic economic recovery and sustainable development.

The two also need to continue to consult, coordinate, and support other in regional and international forums.

Vietnam appreciates India's participation and significant role in cooperation arrangements with ASEAN to safeguard peace, stability and security in the region and the world.

Minister of Information and Communications and President of VIFA Nguyen Manh Hung

Promoting bilateral friendship in the digital era

Minister of Information and Communications, President of VIFA Nguyen Manh Hung said Vietnam and India shared a long-standing traditional friendly relationship, which began with religious and commercial exchanges more than 2000 years ago.

Cultural and historical similarities have not only brought the Vietnamese and Indian peoples closer but also integrated together.

Entering the 21st century, Vietnam - India relations have had a strong development. The friendship has seen comprehensive development in many fields.

In particular, the governments of the two officially established a strategic partnership in July 2007, creating a premise and driving force to upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Over the years, Vietnam has also made significant progress in its strive for national development and enhancement of the material and spiritual lives of its people.

After 35 years of Doi Moi (Renovation), Vietnam's GDP per capita had increased massively.

The country is implementing many national programs aimed at socio-economic development, especially accelerating the digital transformation to develop a digital economy, society and government.

Emphasizing the importance of promoting friendly cooperation in the digital age, Nguyen Manh Hung said that the Association would maximize the utility of digital platforms, increase online meetings, cultural and art exchanges, build digital libraries, museums and tours.

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He appreciated people-to-people diplomacy activities held by VIFA recently.

"As the key organizations in promoting friendly relations between the two peoples, VUFO and VIFA along with many friendship associations from India had made significant contributions during the 50 years of diplomatic relations of the two countries," he said.

Many initiatives and new creative methods in various forms have been implemented to improve mutual understanding and solidarity.

Numerous people-to-people exchange programs, exhibitions, symposia, and conferences to introduce the history, cultural traditions, and socio-economic development of each country have been organized.

Many works about art and literature have been translated and published. Media agencies from each country have increased their coverage of news and images of the land and people of the other country.

Nguyen Manh Hung thanked the great support that India had given Vietnam in the struggles for national independence and the national construction journey.

He said it was the consistent policy of Vietnam to prioritize development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with India.

"The similarities in policies and socio-economic development orientations of Vietnam and India will be a very important premise for us to expand cooperation.

Currently, many economic and technical programs and plans are being actively implemented. I believe that clear and effective economic cooperation between ministries, organizations, and enterprises will be a solid foundation, constantly nurturing the comprehensive strategic partnership of Vietnam - India," he said.

Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma

Expressing his delight at the achievements of the cooperation in all fields between Vietnam and India in recent years, Ambassador of India in Vietnam Pranay Verma said that the India-Vietnam relationship was regarded as a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

This is reflected in the wide-ranging cooperation currently taking place between the two countries, from politics to economy, development, defense, security, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam is a key pillar of India's Act East policy and a key partner in India's vision for the Indo-Pacific region. The two have common interests in peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Ambassador Pranay Verma said 2022 marked an important milestone - the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Since September 2016, Vietnam - India have upgraded the relations from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This shows the importance of the relations and the desire to cooperate on all issues of mutual interest at bilateral, regional, and international levels.

"VUFO and VIFA have always been at the forefront in building stronger bridges of friendship between the two peoples of India and Vietnam. We pride ourselves in cooperating with them to promote the important relations between our two countries. I hope that the hopes the close friendship will become even stronger and reach a greater height," said the ambassador.

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