Vietnamese President meets with Indian counterpart

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (R) and his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang met with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi on March 3 evening, as part of his three-day State visit to India.

President Kovind spoke highly of the ongoing visit to India by President Quang, his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, saying that it helped to tighten the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

President Quang thanked President Kovind, his spouse and the Indian people for their warm welcome and invited the Indian leader and his spouse to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.

The two leaders stressed that Vietnam and India have a time-honoured traditional relationship with a lot of historic and cultural similarities, whose foundation was laid by late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and late President Ho Chi Minh and has been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of both countries.

President Quang suggesting both nations increase education among their younger generations about the bilateral relationship so that they could preserve and uphold the fine tradition.

Both host and guest noted with pleasure at the strong development of the bilateral relations, especially in the fields of politics, defence-security, economy-trade, science-technology and culture-education.

The two Presidents agreed to further step up cooperation in these spheres and tap potential and cooperation opportunities in the areas of energy, infrastructure, information technology, and green and hi-tech agriculture, as well as economic, cultural and people-to-people connectivity. 

President Kovind highly evaluated Vietnam’s important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and thanked Vietnam for the efforts in its capacity as a coordinator of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership for 2015-2018 which brought practical results to the relationship. He affirmed that India backs ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architectures.

The two sides agreed to continue supporting each other at regional and international forums. President Kovind reaffirmed that India backs Vietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 term and thanked Vietnam for its commitment to supporting India’s candidacy for the post in the 2021-2022 term.

President Kovind asserted that India always treasures the principles of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation, observing international law, settling disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law, not using or threatening to use force, and respecting legitimate interests of medium and small nations in order to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The Indian President applauded the organisation of “Vietnamese Cultural Days in India” on the occasion of President Quang’s visit and thanked Vietnam for its favourable conditions for the organisation of the International Yoga Day in Vietnam.

In the evening of March 3, President Ram Nath Kovind hosted a banquet in honour of President Tran Dai Quang, his spouse and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam.

President Tran Dai Quang holds talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang ​and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on March 3, during which both highly valued the intensive and extensive development of Vietnam-India relations in 45 years since the countries officially set up the diplomatic relationship and reiterated their close-knit friendship.

The talks were attended by Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Chairman of the Presidential Office Dao Viet Trung, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh, and other senior officials.

The Indian representatives include Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Misra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish.

President Quang expressed his pleasure to visit India and congratulated the Indian State and people on their remarkable achievements gained over the past time, especially high and stable economic growth as well as major strides in science-technology and India’s increasing role and position in the region and around the world.

For his part, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Vietnam on her accomplishments in nation building and development, particularly having played the successful role as the host of the APEC Year 2017.

After speaking of the strong development of Vietnam-India relations and reiterating their close-knit friendship, the leaders agreed to fully implement the high-level political commitments and the approved documents on political ties. 

The countries will also strongly tap into their potentials and advantages so as to intensify cooperation in all spheres. They will increase mutual visits at all levels and enhance cooperation between their Parties, States, Governments, parliaments, localities and people.

To boost bilateral trade to 15 billion USD in 2020, the leaders agreed to carry out breakthrough solutions, including diversifying export goods of their potential and strength, minimising trade barriers, closely consulting with each other about trade policy, and expanding aviation and navigation connectivity to facilitate trade activities.

They also agreed to exchange development aid packages in the fields that can make breakthroughs such as infrastructure, human resources, and science-technology, while improving the research and development capacity.

President Quang noted Vietnam wants to welcome an inflow of investment from big Indian businesses, particularly in energy, renewable energy, infrastructure, education, and information technology.

The talks between President Tran Dai Quang ​and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The two sides concurred in strengthening defence-security cooperation, especially in English language training, capacity building, skill training, technology transfer, preferential credit provision, and hi-tech crime prevention.

The Vietnamese leader welcomed an upcoming visit to his country by the Indian defence minister, appreciating India giving high priority to defence ties and continuing support for Vietnam in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The two leaders affirmed the importance to raise Vietnamese and Indian youth’s awareness of the long-lasting cultural and religious ties between the two countries, thus promoting people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding. 

President Tran Dai Quang lauded India’s support for Vietnam to implement a project to conserve and embellish the My Son holly site, as well as the country’s future assistance to preserve Cham towers in Ninh Thuan province. 

While comparing their notes of regional and international issue of common concern, Quang and Modi agreed on the importance to maintain peace, stability and aviation and navigation freedom; settle disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and fully respect diplomatic and legal processes. 

They also underlined the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the Ease Sea (DOC) and soon achieve a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Modi affirmed India will continue to promote the implementation of its “Act East Policy” to boost its cooperation with the Asian-Pacific region, noting that Vietnam is a priority and plays a key role in the policy. 

The two sides agreed to support each other at international and regional forums, especially in running for seats in important agencies of the United Nations, and in sharing initiatives on global issues to realise UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

After their talks, President Quang and PM Modi witnessed the hand-over of cooperation agreements signed during the visit, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides’ ministries of industry and trade on economic and trade cooperation; the Action Plan on agricultural collaboration in 2018-2020; the MoU on cooperation between the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute and the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership.

Vietnamese President calls for stronger ties with India

President Tran Dai Quang meets with Speaker of the Lower House of India’s Parliament Sumitra Mahajan in New Delhi on March 3 

President Tran Dai Quang met with Speaker of the Lower House of India’s Parliament Sumitra Mahajan, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and former President of the Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on March 3.

The meetings formed part of President Quang's State visit to India from March 2-4.

Meeting with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, President Quang asked the legislative agencies of Vietnam and India to enhance cooperation, especially organizing mutual high-level visits, promote exchanges between their committees, parliamentary friendship groups, and people’s friendship organizations.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she is impressed with Vietnam’s attainments in national development, affirming that she will continue cooperating closely with the National Assembly of Vietnam to help tighten bilateral connections.

Talking to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, the Vietnamese leader congratulated India on its diplomatic achievements while highly valuing the two foreign ministries’ role in bolstering their countries’ ties.

He asked the Indian ministry to promote high-ranking visits between the countries, maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and speed up the signing of cooperation documents and implementation of the signed agreements by Indian ministries and sectors.

Minister Swaraj said her country welcomes President Quang’s State visit, which she said demonstrates the traditional friendship between the two countries. She pledged to work with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foster bilateral relations.

At the meeting with former President of the Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi, President Quang emphasised that Vietnam and India boast a long-standing friendship, which was founded by late President Ho Chi Minh and late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and has been nurtured by generations of the countries’ leaders and people.

"Vietnam always keeps in mind the precious assistance that the Indian people, including the Indian National Congress, gave to its struggle for national liberation in the past and the national development at present," she said, asking the party to continue supporting the Vietnam-Indian comprehensive strategic partnership.

Sonia Gandhi noted the Indian National Congress always treasures and supports the time-honoured friendship between the two countries.

Later on March 3, President Quang and his spouse attended the opening ceremony of the Vietnamese culture days in India. The event is part of a series of activities marking the 45th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. It is also an activity concluding the Vietnam-India Friendship Year 2017.

Vietnam wants deeper investment cooperation with India: President

President Tran Dai Quang speaks at the India - Vietnam Business Forum

Vietnam wants to boost investment cooperation with India in the fields of information-technology, biotechnology, renewable energy, machinery  building, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electricity, oil and gas, and agro-fishery processing.

President Tran Dai Quang made the statement while addressing the India-Vietnam Business Forum in New Delhi on March 3 as part of his ongoing State visit to India from March 2-4.

Jointly organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Confederation of Indian Industry, the forum drew over 300 businesses operating in such fields as energy, infrastructure, information-technology and communication, pharmaceuticals, health care, development research, and hi-tech agriculture.

President Quang stated that Vietnam has become a dynamic economy with rapid and stable development after over three decades of implementing the “Doi Moi” (reform) and international integration policies. The Southeast Asian country has been evaluated as a safe and attractive investment destination in the region and around the world, he noted.

Vietnam’s consumer market is growing fast given its population nears 100 million and the middle class is on the rise, he said.

In 2017, the local economy expanded by 6.81 percent with the average per capita gross domestic product (GDP) reaching nearly 2,400 USD. Vietnam targets 6.5 percent – 7 percent in economic growth in the coming years. The per capita GDP is estimated at 3,200 USD – 3,500 USD. The economy will be worth about 350 billion USD, he told the participants.

"Vietnam will do to create a favourable and healthy business environment according to international standards regarding instituions, infrastructure, financial system, education reform, and human resources development as well as change the growth model, develop the intellectual-based economy, especially in such hi-tech sectors as agriculture, support industry, marine economy, and tourism, the President said.

He went on to say that the increasing attentions from Indian businesses, including major groups, will soon turn India into one of the biggest trade partners of Vietnam in the future.

Particularly, the “Make in India” economic development programme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will create more opportunities and make it easier for Vietnamese businesses to pour investment in India, President Quang added.

He hailed TATA Group - a global enterprise headquartered in India - for implementing a thermal power project worth nearly 2 billion USD in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang.

This will be India's largest investment project in Vietnam, demonstrating the growing interest of the Indian business community in the Vietnamese market, he said.

Furthermore, two-way trade has been increasing steadily over the years, especially since the signing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement in 2009.

India is running 176 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over 814 million USD, ranking 28th out of the 126 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

“The cooperative relations between Vietnam and India have been strongly reinforced and developed. India always considers Vietnam a pillar and an important partner in its ‘Act East’ policy, while Vietnam also places a premium on promoting comprehensive cooperation with India, especially with the Indian business community, in the process of economic restructuring and innovation of the growth model for sustainable and inclusive growth,” he noted.

President Quang affirmed the two countries' strong determination to achieve two-way trade of 15 billion USD by 2020.

"Vietnam hopes India will become a leading material supplier of apparel, footwear and machinery building industries as well as make it easier for Vietnamese goods such as agri-products, seafood, timber products and footwear to penetrate into the market," the President stressed.

Vietnam is keen to promote bilateral tourism cooperation, especially spiritual and cultural tourism, he added.

"There are huge opportunities for both countries to develop their comprehensive strategic partnership. The bright future of Vietnam-India relationship depends much on the dynamism and determination of the two countries’ business communities and peoples," President Quang said.

He hoped Vietnamese and India entrepreneurs will continue playing a crucial role as a pioneering force in promoting the bialteral comprehensive strategic partnership in trade, investment and economy.

At the business forum, President Quang witnessed a ceremony to launch the direct air route between Vietnam and India. The first direct air route, run by Vietjet Air, will connect Ho Chi Minh City with New Delhi with fours flights a week. 

From the "Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation Framework for the Twenty-first Century" in 2003 to the formal establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2007 and most recently the eleviation of the ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, the relationship between Vietnam and India has been growing strongly across pillars of politics, economics, defense-security, science-technology and culture- society.

India is now one of the 10 leading trade partners of Vietnam while Vietnam is the fourth biggest trade partner of India in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Diplomat: Vietnam-India ties enjoy rapid development

President Tran Dai Quang (L) is welcomed by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind at an offical welcoming ceremony in New Delhi on March 3 

The increasing development of Vietnam – India relations across fields was highlighted in an article recently published on the Diplomat magazine of India on the occasion of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang’s State visit to the Central Asian country from March 2-4.

The article affirmed the Vietnamese leader’s visit is a good follow up to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016. 

Vietnam is a key element of India’s “Act East Policy” – one of the mainstays of Indian foreign policy under the Modi Government, which aims to bolster India’s closer engagement with Southeast Asia and East Asia, it noted. 

“Vietnam is important for India’s outreach efforts in the Southeast Asian region, besides New Delhi’s plans for increasing its connectivity with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)”, the article said. 

According to the Diplomat, India is constructing the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway, which is expected to be completed by 2019; and this could be linked up with pre-existing roads, all the way to Vietnam. 

However, there are still challenges facing the Vietnam-India relations, it said. 

It added that there is much for the two sides to ponder over in their economic cooperation. Though the two sides have set a bilateral trade target of 15 billion USD by 2020, but this is a modest goal as comparing with the total trade between Vietnam and China in 2017, which stood at 93.8 billion USD. 

The Diplomat also pointed out the underdevelopment in people-to-people ties between the two countries as the number of tourists from Vietnam to India and vice versa is nothing much to crow about.

During his stay, President Tran Dai Quang is scheduled to visit Bodh Gaya, which is significant given the Buddhist connection between the two countries, it noted.

“While India’s ties with Vietnam have been progressing fast on all fronts, it is important for both the sides to address the challenges confronting the relationship in order for it to reach its full potential”, the article stressed.

President highlights Indian Ocean-Asia-the Pacific development space

President Tran Dai Quang (centre) at the meeting with Indian scholars

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang highlighted the formation of new security and development space linking Indian Ocean, Asia and the Pacific with closer economic, political and cultural connectivity during a dialogue in New Delhi on March 4 morning with nearly 300 Indian politicians, professors, researchers, scholars and students. 

In his speech, President Quang said a number of inter-regional and global initiatives and long-term cooperation strategies have been raised in Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific over the past years, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), India’s “Look East” policy, China’s “Belt and Road” connectivity initiative, Japan’s “Free and Open Indo– Pacific Strategy”, the US’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision”, and recently the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership  (CPTPP) with the participation of 11 member economies. 

He said the 21st century becomes the century of the Indian Ocean, Asia and the Pacific only when countries share the same vision for an open area in line with international law with no country and population group being left behind, and strive to maintain overflight, aviation and trade freedom for common prosperity. 

Speaking highly of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech during the ASEAN-India Summit, President Quang said only via increasingly closer links across infrastructure, trade, investment, culture, education – training, science – technology, India and ASEAN could build up power to create a new development space for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development. 

In Vietnam’s foreign policy, India is always one of the most important prioritised partners, he said, adding that PM Modi also described Vietnam as the top priority in India’s efforts to boost ties with Asia-the Pacific. 

India deserves a greater role in Indian Ocean, Asia and the Pacific as well as in the world, he noted. 

The Vietnamese leader said Vietnam supports India in actively joining regional connectivity and cooperation mechanisms. 

He called on the need to further reinforce Vietnam-India economic-trade connectivity, considering it a development momentum for the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam and India need to promote maritime cooperation and collaboration in achieving their sustainable development goals, and closely connect the United Nations Agenda on Sustainable Development 2030 with the regional cooperation frameworks, including the Mekong – Ganga Cooperation. 

The President suggested jointly building an open and inclusive regional architecture and effectively realising contents of the ASEAN – India strategic partnership with a new vision. 

Vietnam and India need to coordinate more closely at multilateral forums, particularly in the mechanisms of the United Nations and ASEAN, while actively participating in developing and shaping frameworks and cooperation methods, contributing to efforts of the international community to ensure peace, cooperation, development, and  bright future for the Indian Ocean, Asia, and Asia-Pacific region, President Quang suggested.

He expressed his belief that with the time-testing friendship, shared vision, and efforts made by leaders and people of the two nations, Vietnam and India have a solid foundation for the growing strategic comprehensive partnership and becoming the focus in regional connectivity.

The Indian Ocean, Asia, and Asia-Pacific regions have established its century-old connectivity in terms of geography, history, economy, and culture, he said, adding that the recent initiatives on regional connectivity, once being implemented as commitments, will contribute to creating a future of peace, cooperation and prosperity in the regions.

He spoke highly of India’s “Look East” and “Act East” policies, saying that they will contribute to the development of the Indian Ocean, Asia, and Asia-Pacific space, promoting the building of a sustainable regional architecture.

The realised Indian Ocean, Asia, and Asia-Pacific Vision will lay a foundation for the country’s “Act East” policy to fulfill its targets and benefits, President Quang stressed.

The Vietnamese leader highlighted the central role of the ASEAN nations in the Indian Ocean, Asia, and Asia-Pacific regions, saying that all key shipping routes connecting the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean run through Southeast Asia.

ASEAN is the only regional organisation with close cooperation frameworks and mechanisms with all nations in and outside the region, therefore, all regional connectivity initiatives are important to ASEAN, President Quang affirmed.

On the occasion, President Quang attended a ceremony launching the book on Vietnam – India relations, titled “Emerging Horizons in India – Vietnam Relations”.

He also attended a ceremony at the Nehru Museum to announce the establishment of the Vietnamese Studies Centre under the Indian Academy of Social Science (ISSA).

Vietnamese President receives leaders of Indian political parties

President Tran Dai Quang receives General Secretary Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) on March 4 during his State visit to India. 

President Tran Dai Quang received General Secretary Sudhakar Reddy of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and General Secretary Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) in New Delhi on March 4 as part of his three-day State visit to India.

President Quang thanked the CPI and CPIM for their valuable support to the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vietnamese people during their past struggle for independence as well as the current process of national construction and development.

The President also showed his appreciation for Yechury who took to the streets to join demonstrations in support of Vietnam during wartime.

President Tran Dai Quang poses for a photo with General Secretary Sudhakar Reddy of the Communist Party of India (CPI). 

Reddy and Yechury, for their part, congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development. They said they will continue working to maintain a close friendship between the people of the two nations and foster the implementation of Vietnam-India agreements reached during this visit to further expand the long-standing bilateral ties.

President Quang took this occasion to invite Reddy and Yechury to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.

The same day, President Quang also hosted a reception for President of the Indo-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group Dr. Keshava Rao and Vietnam’s Honorary Consul in Nepal Dr. Rajesh Kazi Shrestha.

The Vietnamese leader congratulated Dr. Rao upon his new election as the group’s president, expressing his hope that, as a prestigious Indian senator, he will play an active role in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

The Indo-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group was formed as a result of the India visit by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in December 2016, reflecting the two legislative bodies’ good relations in recent years, Rao said.

As the chair of the group, he vowed to bolster delegation exchanges and cooperation between the parliaments’ committees and within the group as well as their partnership at international and regional parliamentary forums of which both sides are members.

President Tran Dai Quang talks with Vietnamese expats in India

President Tran Dai Quang visits Vietnamese expats and the embassy staff 

The Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation and an important resource for national development, said President Tran Dai Quang.

President Quang made the affirmation at a meeting with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in India in New Delhi on March 4 before wrapping his three-day State visit to the country.

President Quang hailed the recent achievements the embassy has gained and its efforts to successfully organise his visit to the country.

The President briefed the participants on the nation’s socio-economic achievements, highlighting the successful hosting of the APEC Vietnam Year 2017 and the 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

He underlined the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India, which was founded by late Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, and have been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of Vietnam.

The State leader also highlighted the two nations’ long-term connections in terms of culture and religion, saying that more and more Vietnamese people visit Buddhist places in India.

The establishment of the Vietnam-India Strategic Partnership in 2007, which was upgraded to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, has proven growing cooperation in the fields of politics, national defence – security, economics – trading, science – technology, and culture – education between the two countries, he said.

President Quang hailed the organisation of the Friendship Year 2017 in both nations with numerous activities to mark the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam – India Strategic Partnership. 

The President also asked Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh and the embassy’s staff to continue making efforts to develop the Vietnam – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership more practically in the coming time, and increase culture, trade and investment promotion activities, thus realising the target of 15 billion USD in two-way trade by 2020.

On the occasion, President Quang presented a second-class Labour Order to the embassy.

Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership

VNA