This was the first official visit to Vietnam by Mr Narenda Modi as the Prime Minister of India, in the context of India’s enhancing cooperation with Vietnam as one of the pillars of its relationship with South East Asia. Especially, in preparation for the 45thanniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India, and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic relationship between two countries, the official visit to Vietnam by the Indian Prime Minister has a wide range of meanings in terms of bilateral relations between two countries, and in other aspects in the region.
During his working day on September 3rd, PM Narenda Modi and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc co-chaired the signing ceremony of 12 significant agreements on cooperation between India and Vietnam, including the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between VASS and ICWA, New Dheli.
Under this Memorandum, VASS and ICWA agreed to extend the scope of exchange between two institutions based on the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, in accordance with Vietnamese and Indian laws, and within the competence of each party to the Memorandum.
VASS and ICWA agreed to exchange their experts in diplomatic relations, culture, economics, trade, education, international relations, science, social sciences, information and communication, in order to enable the VASS-ICWA dialogue and cooperation between civil society organisations of Vietnam and India.
To attain the goal of maximizing benefits from the dialogue, VASS and ICWA will alternatively host the joint events which both India and Vietnam agree to organize. The agenda of these events will be decided by both countries.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the activities of cooperation between India and Vietnam include: (1) Enhancing and assisting contributions to raising knowlege of Vietnam and Indian as well as improving the relationship between two countries; (2) Enhancing and assisting the exchange of experts in diplomatic relations, culture, economics and trade, education, international relations, science, social sciences, information and communication; (3) Co-sponsoring conferences, workshops and bilateral seminars on the issues of the regions and the world which interest both parties; (4) Free exchange of periodical publications of both parties; (5) Establishing the link between the websites of both parties; (6) Improving other forms of cooperation agreed by both parties; (7) English is the official language used in all dialogues, documents and communications.
Other relevant issues which are beyond this Memorandum will be decided by both parties. The Memorandum takes effect from the date of signature, being subject to amendments if necessary with the agreement of both parties, or subject to termination when either party has a written notification at least 3 moths in advance.
On behalf of VASS and on behalf of ICWA, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Thuan - the President of VASS, and Mr Parvathaneni Harish - the Ambassador of India to Vietnam, signed the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc , PM Narenda Modi and all participants.
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