PIB+BACKGROUND: “Act East” policy
- President of India addresses National Assembly of Vietnam; leads delegation-level talks; says Vietnam is pivotal to India’s “Act East” policy (President’s Secretariat)
The President of India held bilateral meetings with the President of Vietnam as well as led delegation-level talks.
The two countries signed and exchanged four agreements:
- An agreement between the Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam and the Ministry of Communications of India.
- An agreement of cooperation between the Department of Foreign Affairs of Provinces, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam, and the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam.
- An academic agreement between the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Hanoi, and the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
- An agreement between the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The President noted that Vietnam is the first ASEAN and Southeast Asian country he is visiting in his capacity as President of India.
He mentioned Vietnam that “we have robust business, political and people-to-people bonds. We are both stakeholders in the commerce, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific Region”.
Vietnam and India share a vision for the Indo-Pacific Region, where the South China Sea is a critical component.
Further, India has consistently supported ASEAN’s unity and centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms for regional security and economic architecture – to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Indian investors are keen to strengthen their presence in Vietnam:
India seeks Vietnam’s support in facilitating Indian investments in sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and oil and gas.
India also looks forward to cooperation with Vietnam in improving agricultural productivity.
Dialogue for Maritime Security:
India wants to enhance bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain – for instance, through our first Bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue to be hosted by Vietnam in early 2019.
Maritime security, piracy, and drug trafficking using the oceans are issues of common concern.
