Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s August 25-26 visit to Hanoi will give fresh impetus to our bilateral relations, said Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Tan.

The ambassador made the statement in an interview granted to Editor-in-Chief Manish Chan of the “India Writes Network” regarding the Vietnam-India relationship and the role of India in the region.

Tan said the visit is especially important as this is the first visit by an Indian Minister since the establishment of the new Indian government and demonstrates the high importance it attaches to maintaining friendly relations with Vietnam.

The visit also sets the stage for next month’s visit by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at which the two nations are anticipated to take their strategic relationship to a much deeper and more advanced level. During the visit they will discuss bilateral ties and issues pertaining to the regional and international situation.

Ambassador Tan said that bilateral trade turnover set a new record last year reaching US$6.2 billion and is expected to surmount US$7 billion by 2015 and US$15 billion by 2020.

Each year, India grants 150 scholarships to Vietnamese university students aiming to enhance their capacity, especially in the field of information technology and management.

Tan emphasised that both nations have exchanged defence attachés to strengthen cooperation in national defence and they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation in the field.

A strategic dialogue at the deputy minister level is in place and India has expressed its willingness to train Vietnamese naval and air soldiers in such areas as advanced naval tactical and flight training.

Ambassador Tan confirmed that Vietnam is a member of ASEAN which signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on the exchange of goods with India. At present, both sides are additionally close to signing a FTA on service and investment.

India is an exceptionally lucrative market for Vietnamese goods, most notably electronics, Tan said.

Vietnam and India are also closely aligned on regional issues, and specifically the East Sea dispute.  In a speech at a recent ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Myanmar, the Indian Minister reaffirmed its stance towards peaceful solutions for all disputes in the region.

Ambassador Tan stressed that Vietnam will continue to support India’s “Look East” policy and remain a loyal friend of New Delhi.