At the seminar. Photo: vtc.vn
With nearly 100 Vietnamese and Indian scholars taking part, the event aimed to boost Vietnam-India ties across the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy-trade, national defense-security, energy, culture, education, science-technology, and people-to-people diplomacy.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh lauded the time-honored bilateral ties dating back to thousands of years ago when Buddhism and Hinduism entered Vietnam.
Over the past 45 years, the bilateral friendship, peace, cooperation and development have been increasingly strengthened, she said, adding that the achievements have yet to match each country’s potential.
She asked both countries to utilize similarities and remove subjective and objective barriers that slow cooperation progress, based on which, identify each side’s priorities and strengths in bilateral links.
The Vietnamese leader suggested further clarifying Vietnam’s role in India’s Act East policy as well as its role as a bridge connecting India and ASEAN so that the two nations could develop relationship on par with their potential.
She said Vietnam wants the Indian government to provide annual scholarships for Vietnamese students and invest in building capacity of information technology workforce; English training; electrical energy calculation and other fields such as nuclear technology; remote sensing; outer space exploration for peaceful purposes; aviation, road and waterway connectivity; and the effective organization of the Vietnam-India friendship festival.
Neeklakanta Ravi, former Indian Ambassador to Vietnam and former deputy head of the Indian Foreign Service in charge of Oriental Affairs, described Vietnam as one of the special diplomatic priorities of India thanks to its significant role in India’s strategic economic interests.
Participants discussed theoretical and practical issues such as the history and status of bilateral ties, past achievements, barriers and limitations in regional and global context, and suggestions.
Several opinions shared the view that the two countries need to shape a new vision and mindset in order to lift bilateral ties to a greater height amid the current world development trend.
The event was co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam.
Source: VNA