Attending the seminar were: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trung, Director of the India and Southwest Asia Research Institute; Dr. Tran Hoang Long, Deputy Director VIISAS; Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga, Deputy Editor of the Journal of India and Asia, together with experts, scientists and scholars in the field of international studies, a student majoring in Indian Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities with all VIISAS researchers.
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The 17th Meeting of India- Vietnam Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation co – chaired by Dr.S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of Republic of India (EAM) and H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was held video- conference on 25 August 2020. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the recent developments in India – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed the future trajectory of their wide – ranging engagement. They agreed to add new momentum to the economic and defence engagement between the two countries and to explore closer cooperation in emerging areas such as civil nuclear energy, space, marine sciences and new technologies. Besides, the co-chairs exchanged views on regional and international issue of mutual interest, especially in the context of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
At the seminar, Ambassador Pranay Verma informed the main discussion points during the 17th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting and emphasized the potential for cooperation in Vietnam-India relations in many fields thanks to taking advantage of the international situation and the development of the two countries in the current period. The results of the 17th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting have clearly demonstrated the determination of the two countries, especially strengthening bilateral cooperation in line with India’s Indo- Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo – Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region. India invited Vietnam to collaborate on one of the seven pillars of the IPOI.
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In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ambassador described the overview of the Covid-19 epidemic in India Which is a country with 1.3 billion population suffering heavily with more than 4 million positive cases, ranking the seconds in the world. This situation, the Government of India has taken quick and decisive measures to minimize the spread of the epidemic. The policies include: nationwide blockade, extensive testing; improve production capacity of medical equipment; to meet the domestic demand, a number of goods are available for export ... Thanks to proper and timely government policies, India has kept the rate of cases and the numbers of the deaths low compared to the average of the world. Accordingly, the high proportion of people being cured Which has provided India with rich clinical experience in dealing with the epidemic. Currently, the world highly appreciated India's vaccine production capacity, in particular, two vaccines are in the experimental stage. India also given an initiative cooperation with South Asian countries, including Vietnam aim to join hands in combating this pandemic as well as making recommendations trade relations between India and Vietnam in post-Covid-19.
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Speaking at the Seminar, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trung appreciated the presentation of Ambassador Pranay Verma and emphasized the importance of the 17th session of the Vietnam-India Joint Commission Meeting. The meeting was not only summarized the achievements in the bilateral cooperation but also concretized the cooperation previously proposed by the leaders of the two sides, proposed ways to solve the challenges and difficulties in the bilateral relationship and suggesting directions for cooperation in the coming time. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Director also highly appreciated the efforts of the Indian government in formulating policies to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic in a timely manner.
The seminar received many exchanges and discussions from participants. Many experts and scientists all gave extended views on difficulties and hindering development of commercial relations between the two countries as well as proposing mechanisms and potential for cooperation in many fields in the future.
The exchange and sharing of Ambassador and scholars at the seminar will be a useful reference source for the scientists of VASS in scientific research, policy advice to build knowledge capital and deep understanding of the Vietnam-India relationship and India's timely responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing to develop further promoting Vietnam – India relationship.
Nguyen Thu Trang
