On August 25, 2020, the 17th meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was held virtually which was co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh. The focus of the meet was to review the recent developments in India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to put forth measures and orientations for cooperation in the new period, towards the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (January 26, 1972-2022).
Signing of MoUs:
India-Vietnam signed the following Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):
- Cooperation between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), New Delhi and Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), Hanoi.
- MoU between National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi and Scientific Research Institute of Sea and Islands, Hanoi.
Key Outcomes of Meet:
-Both sides agreed to boost their economic and defence engagement and also work towards exploring closer cooperation in emerging areas such as civil nuclear energy, space, marine sciences and new technologies in order to bring two-way trade to US$15 billion as soon as possible.
-India reaffirmed its capacity building assistance to Vietnam through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects (QIP), Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, as well as projects in water resource management in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, SDGs, (Sustainable Development Goals) digital connectivity and heritage conservation.
- 12 QIPs for implementation in Vietnam have been approved by the Government of India, including 7 QIPs in water resource management in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta Region and 5 QIPs related to construction of educational infrastructure in Vietnam.
-Both sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where both India and Vietnam will serve concurrently as non-permanent members in 2021.
They also agreed to step up cooperation and coordination at important regional forums under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) framework.
-Also, views were exchanged on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially in the context of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
-India and Vietnam agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific.
– -India expressed its full support to Vietnam’s chairmanship of ASEAN 2020.
Recent Related News:
On June 26, 2020, the 36th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit was held via video conference on the theme “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”. The summit was chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc as Vietnam is ASEAN’s chair in 2020. The focus of the meet was on COVID-19 response, post-pandemic recovery and further cooperation with partners.
About Association of Southeast Asian Nations:
Established in 1967, ASEAN groups 10 nations viz. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Secretariat– Jakarta, Indonesia
Chairman– Nguyen Xuan Phuc
Secretary General– H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi
About Vietnam:
Capital– Hanoi
Currency– Vietnamese dong
