Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is set to embark on a significant visit to India, marking the first time a Vietnamese premier has traveled to the country in a decade. This visit, commencing on August 1, is also the first prime ministerial engagement since India and Vietnam elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.
The visit aims to inject new energy into the evolving partnership and explore new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the fields of digital economy and renewable energy. PM Chinh will receive a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan, followed by discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are anticipated to sign multiple agreements as they deepen collaboration between the two nations.
In addition to Prime Minister Modi, PM Chinh will meet with President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several ministers, deputy ministers, and business leaders.
The Indian government views Vietnam as a crucial partner in its Act East policy and a key player in its Indo-Pacific strategy. This visit is expected to further solidify Vietnam’s role as a central pillar in India’s regional and strategic vision. PM Chinh will also deliver the annual Sapru House Lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs during his stay.
Vietnamese Ambassador to India, Nguyen Thanh Hai, emphasized that the visit is poised to reinvigorate the comprehensive strategic partnership. Both countries are anticipated to focus on enhancing traditional cooperation areas while venturing into new sectors like telecommunications, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, IT, and renewable energy.
The two nations are also set to bolster their collaboration on regional and global issues, contributing to peace and stability in the region. Since the upgrade of their bilateral ties, trade between India and Vietnam has surged two-and-a-half times, reaching approximately $15 billion in 2023. Indian businesses are increasingly interested in investing in Vietnam’s strategic sectors, with direct flights between the two countries now numbering about 60 per week. Nearly 400,000 Indians have visited Vietnam this year, underscoring the growing people-to-people connections.
Sources By Agencies