Last year Vietnam and India celebrated 45 years of diplomatic ties and 10 years of strategic partnership. It was also the first year that the two countries implemented their comprehensive strategic partnership following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in September 2016. Prime Minister Phuc’s visit to India is part of efforts to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Firm foundation of Vietnam-India ties
The Vietnam-India relationship began 2,000 years ago through trade and cultural exchanges and philosophical ideologies. Half of century ago, President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid a foundation for bilateral friendship which has been upgraded to a strategic partnership and then to comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress affirms Vietnam’s foreign policy aim to deepen its relations with its partners matching India’s Look East and Act East policies. The comprehensive strategic partnership has created momentum for bilateral ties. Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Doan Duy Khuong said: "Vietnam is an important economy in India’s Act East policy. The trade ties between the two countries have developed rapidly, especially since ASEAN and India signed a Free Trade Agreement. India is one of Vietnam’s 10 largest trade partners.”
Vietnam and India have boosted cooperation in security, defense, finance, credit, oil, gas, science, and technology. Bilateral ties in education, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges have been strengthened. President of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association Truong Minh Tuan said: "The two countries have held 8 people-to-people exchange festivals which have made a great impression. These events have increased bilateral friendship and mutual understanding.”
Vietnam and India have shared goals of the development and prosperity of their countries and peace and development in the region and the world. They pledge to work closely to increase mutual trust and understanding and support each other on regional and global issues at multilateral forums like ASEAN.
Vietnam’s coordinating role in ASEAN-India ties
This is the first time India has invited leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries to celebrate India’s 69th Republic Day. This shows ASEAN’s increasing role in India’s foreign policy.
Vietnam consistently supports India’s Act East policy. Vietnam with its role as coordinator of the ASEAN-India relation pledges to do its best to boost the partnership.