Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his wife will pay an official visit to India from July 4-6 at the invitation of Indian PM Manmohan Singh and his wife. In an interview prior to the visit, Mr Dung said this important event will mark a new development in the relations of traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and India.

VOVNews brings you an excerpt from the interview.

Reporters: Vietnam and India have developed a long-lasting relationship. What is your opinion on their economic, trade and investment cooperation in the recent past and in the near future?

Mr Dung: Vietnam and India have established their friendly relationship over a long time as they have common historical links in culture, religion and trade. Bilateral relations were built and fostered by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Indian President Jawaharlal Nehru and many other leaders and people of the two countries.

In recent years, bilateral relations have developed strongly in all fields such as politics, economics, security, national defence, education and training, science and technology and culture. Two-way trade has increased significantly from US$72 million in 1995 to more than US$1 billion in 2006, achieving an annual growth rate of 20 percent. India’s direct investment in Vietnam last year also hit US$580 million. With huge investment poured into Vietnam early this year by steel groups Essar and Tata, India became one of the top ten foreign investors in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam became the largest recipient of India’s foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia. Recently, projects using India’s credit loans have paid dividends.

The prospect for strengthening cooperative relations between Vietnam and India will meet the common desire and aspiration of the two countries. I am confident that the upcoming official visit to India will be a good chance for the two countries to create breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Reporters: India is considered an emerging economy and an important partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). What do you think of the Indian economy’s role for the ASEAN community and Vietnam in particular?

Mr Dung: As a result of the successful implementation of its open door policy, India has made tremendous achievements in all fields, particularly in economics, science and technology, thereby elevating its role and prestige in the region and the world. As an ASEAN member, which has developed the relations of traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with India, Vietnam wants to further enhance cooperation with India in both a bilateral and multilateral framework. Vietnam highly values India’s great potential and hopes India will become one of Vietnam’s largest partners in economics, trade, investment, science and technology, tourism, culture and education and training.

Given its political influence in the Asia-Pacific region as well as its great economic potential, ASEAN has become an important trade and investment partner of India – one of India’s priority areas is its Eastward policy. In turn, India is a magnet for ASEAN countries thanks to its huge market of an emerging economy, advanced science and technology as well as attractive investment opportunities. ASEAN also acknowledges India’s important role within the community through high-level meetings and full dialogue mechanisms.

During recent years, India and ASEAN have achieved good results in implementing their agreements and joint statements, including a joint statement on ASEAN-India cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, a statement on the ASEAN-India partnership for peace, development and prosperity, and a framework agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation between ASEAN and India. Both sides affirm their strong determination to bring the ASEAN-India partnership to a new height, including the acceleration of upcoming negotiations on the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA). In conclusion, India was, is and will be one of the important partners of ASEAN as well as the Asia Pacific region.

Reporters: Could you cite any agreements or contracts that the two countries are expected to sign during the visit?

Mr Dung: The countries will sign the Vietnam-India joint statement and agreements on cultural exchange, cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, maritime transport and judicial assistance. Localities and businesses that accompany me are expected to sign business deals with their Indian partners.

Reporters: Thank you.

Source: VOV