Diplomatic Outreach: India, Vietnam PMs commit to inclusive Indian Ocean

Amid shifting geopolitical currents, the prime ministers of India and Vietnam held a telephonic conversation and underlined their commitment to “similar vision of an open, inclusive, peaceful and rules-based Indian Ocean Region.”

In the telephonic conversation on July 10, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh as the Prime Minister of Vietnam and expressed confidence that “the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to become stronger under his able guidance.”

PM Modi “welcomed the fact that both countries share a similar vision of an open, inclusive, peaceful and rules-based Indian Ocean Region, and hence the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership can contribute to promote regional stability, prosperity and development,” said a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Mr Modi thanked PM Chinh for the valuable support provided by the Government and people of Vietnam during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India. The leaders agreed that both countries should continue consultations and cooperation to support each other’s continuing efforts against the pandemic, said the external affairs ministry.

India-Vietnam relations are growing from strength to strength since the establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries during PM Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2006.

In the telephonic conversation, the two leaders decided to celebrate this auspicious milestone in a befitting manner through various commemorative activities.

PM Modi invited PM Chinh to visit India at an early date.

“The India-Vietnam strategic partnership have found a new traction with strategic convergence on a host of issues, including freedom of navigation and enhancing cooperation to shape a balanced and inclusive regional order,” said Manish Chand, Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network and India and The World magazine.

Vietnam as emerged as a key pillar of India’s Act East policy. Both India and Vietnam are serving as non-permanent members in the UN Security Council.