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Vietnam is a strategic pillar

of India’s Act East Policy

The exchange of high-level visits from both the sides will further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership between New Delhi and Hanoi, writes priti prakash
he visit of Venkaiah Naidu, in an interaction to Foreign Correspond- of the Line of Credit of US Dollars 500
Vice President of India, to ents said that relations with India thrives million for defence industry coopera-
Vietnam on the Vesak day, a on 6 pillars. Political which includes tion announced during the visit of Prime
celebration to mark the birth, regular exchange of high level visits, De- Minister Modi in 2016.
T death and enlighten day of fence and security, Economic, Scientific Training by the three arms of the ser-
Lord Buddha tells a lot about the grow- cooperation, and education and people vices has been extended by India to the
ing relations between the two countries. to people ties. In a significant move the armed forces of Vietnam which include
Vice President Naidu, on the invite of post of Ambassador of Vietnam to India training pilots, people and in English lan-
his counterpart in Vietnam, was due to has been upgraded from joint secretary guage, Ambassador Chau informed. On
deliver the keynote address at the 16th to ministerial level in order to substanti- port call two Vietnamese ships are vis-
UN Day of Vesak Celebrations in Ha Nam ate comprehensive partnership between iting Indian port, Chiefs of the 3 arms of
province. Vietnam and India. the 2 countries visit each other on a regu-
Vietnam is considered a civilizational lar basis. Talks on buying defence equip-
friend and trusted partner, a strategic pil- ment’s from India may be a possibility.
lar of India’s Act East Policy and our key The bilateral
interlocutor in ASEAN. The exchange of economic Economics and trade
high-level visits from both the sides will The bilateral economic engagement dur-
further strengthen the Comprehensive engagements during ing the last few years between India and
Strategic Partnership. India and Vietnam, Vietnam has facilitated business and
today, have a strong bilateral relationship the last few years industry to harness the growing op-
based on mutual trust, understanding, between India portunities in both countries and in the
convergence of views on regional and region. Bilateral trade stood at nearly
international issues. and Vietnam have US $14 billion last year having dou-
Significantly Buddhism has been a facilitated businesses bled from US Dollars 7.8 billion three
strong bond uniting our two peoples years ago. It is targeted to reach US
and nations. Indians reached the shores and industries to Dollars 15 billion by 2020.
of this beautiful country two millennia harness the growing Presently there is no big investment
ago with the message of Lord Buddha, from India in Vietnam except ONGC. Its
of peace and compassion. The remains opportunities same for IT. Ambassador Chau informed,
of the Champa civilization attest to the in the region IT major HCL is opening in Vietnam with
exchanges of people, goods, ideas and a big ambition to create 10,000 jobs. Vi-
philosophies. etnam standing in top 5 in PISA which is
The talks between VP Naidu and Vice Defence cooperation an education indicator, people are smart
President of Vietnam Dang Thi Ngoc The bilateral defence and security in maths and physics and can potentially
Thinh covered the whole range of bilat- cooperation between the two countries produce smart engineers. HCL will train
eral and multilateral cooperation. They is robust and both are further commit- 10,000 engineers who will work in the
agreed to further strengthen bilateral ted to strengthen it. India is providing interest of India for America, he said.
cooperation in defence and security, extensive and sustained training support ONGC is doing very well in Vietnam,
peaceful uses of atomic energy and outer to Vietnamese Armed Forces and the some exploration is going on. According
space, science and technology, oil and implementation of the Line of Credit of to agreements between the countries
gas, renewable energy, infrastructure US Dollars 100 million for building high we try to provide all necessary support,
development, agriculture and innova- speed patrol vessels for Vietnamese Bor- not just Indian but all foreign countries
tion-based sectors. der Guards is progressing satisfactorily. operating in Vietnam to enjoy all privi-
The Ambassador of Vietnam to India, India has reviewed the implementation leges, he said with reference to China.

Tehelka / 31 may 2019 56 www.Tehelka.com