“Without Vietnam’s active support and cooperation, India would have felt constrained to execute many of the projects as a part of its Act East Policy,” Panda affirmed, adding that Vietnam is a very willing partner in this policy.

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Dr. Rajaram Panda, senior researcher at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library

“Among the ten ASEAN member grouping, I think India’s relationship with Vietnam is something special,” he added.

Regarding the visit of N.A. Chairman Hue to India, he stated that this visit sends a very powerful message to the world, that India and Vietnam are on the same page on many regional issues and cooperate closely in the changing regional and international situations.

For the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, the Indian scholar emphasized that the East Sea is actually a main concern not only for India and Vietnam but also for many other countries in the region because the way China has been expanding its maritime footprint, island building and also the militarization of the islands within the East Sea. These are all matter of concern because the East Sea is a global common which no country should claim as its own, he said.

He stressed the need for a collective, cooperative understanding amongst countries involved so as to secure the East Sea for free navigation that will ultimately lead to regional peace and stability.

Source: VNA