Overview of the seminar "Vietnam - India relationship: tradition and present". Photo: NDO

The seminar was organized with the participation of experts from the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, the Institute for Indian and Southwest Asian Studies (VIISAS) – Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, experts, scientists, and managers.

The seminar focused on exchanging and discussing topics around the potentials, resources and strengths in the development process of each country. It also opens up the potential for extensive cooperation in the present and future.

The seminar contributes to clarifying and deepening the good relationship between the two countries in the process of development and research. It recognizes that the relationship plays an important role for strategic planning, policies and plans for international cooperation, people-to-people diplomacy and for the sustainable development goals of the two countries.

Speaking at the seminar, Chairman of Vietnam - India Friendship Association, Ho Chi Minh City branch Huynh Thanh Lap said that over the past 50 years, Vietnam - India traditional friendship has developed strongly.

Since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 7, 1972, India and Vietnam have always supported each other. The relationship was further upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016 and the two countries are currently implementing an action plan for the 2021-2023 period.

Over the past 50 years, the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India has grown stronger. Over the years, mutual visits between Vietnam and India have further deepened the bilateral relationship. Many cooperation activities have brought important results in the socio-economic development of each country.

The scientific seminar is a continuation of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India.

Chairman of the Vietnam - India Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City Huynh Thanh Lap hoped that the seminar would contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of people-to-people exchanges, deepening the two countries' friendship, bringing the two countries' trade turnover to over US$15 billion.

The signing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AIFTA) will create favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods to be exported to the Indian market and vice versa.

Huynh Thanh Lap also wanted the seminar to help promote student exchanges, and scholarship programs, enhance cultural exchanges, and strengthen the country, its people, and the similar culture between the two countries.

For the Vietnam - India relationship to develop more comprehensively, the two countries need to promote their advantages to foster economic ties, especially investment.

Vietnam needs to make full use and promote effective cooperation in education - training, science and technology, which are the strengths of India.

Prof. Huynh Thanh Loan, Institute for Indian and Southwest Asian Studies, said that to deploy people-to-people diplomacy smoothly, the two sides need to promote cultural exchange, education and other fields.

Vietnam needs to strengthen the force of the Vietnam - India Friendship Association and its member associations in localities. They need to attract the participation of businesses, students, and scientific and historical researchers, to connect Vietnamese businesses with Indian individuals and organizations.

India also needs to further promote cultural activities to all classes of Vietnamese people.

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