Member for

3 years 11 months
Submitted by ctv_en_4 on Sat, 07/07/2007 - 11:07
Vietnam and India issued a joint declaration on strategic partnership in New Delhi on July 6, affirming their determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation in politics, economics, security, national defence, culture, science and technology, as well as cooperation at regional and multilateral forums.

The declaration was released following talks  between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

 

The joint declaration runs in full as follows:

1. The Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung paid a state visit to India from July 4 to 6, 2007 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh.


2. Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 6, 2007. His engagements included a call on the President of the Republic of India, H.E. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh held detailed discussions with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung and hosted a banquet in his honour. The Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha and the Minister of State of External Affairs paid courtesy calls on the Prime Minister of Vietnam.


3. Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung addressed a Business Summit jointly organised by the apex chambers of commerce and industry. The fifth Meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Business Council was held in New Delhi during the visit.


4. The two Prime Ministers held extensive discussions on July 6, 2007 when they covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. The discussions were held in the traditionally warm and cordial atmosphere characteristic of the longstanding and close friendship between India and Vietnam. They focused in particular on enriching bilateral relations and on measures to further deepen the partnership between India and Vietnam, taking into account the development in bilateral relations, its potential and the far reaching changes in the international arena.


5. The two leaders recalled that India-Vietnam relations have been extremely friendly and cordial since their foundations were laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh more than 50 years ago. They also recalled with satisfaction the discussion during their earlier meeting in Cebu, Philippines in January 2007 on the margins of the ASEAN Summit.


6. The two leaders observed that their meeting was taking place in the fifth year since the signing of the "Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Cooperation Framework between India and Vietnam" in May 2003. The two leaders observed that despite the changes in the regional and international situation over the years, the traditionally close ties of friendship between the two countries had remained steadfast. Noting the achievements in bilateral relations in the political, security, economic, science and technology and cultural fields, the two leaders resolved to strengthen India-Vietnam relations through the establishment of a New Strategic Partnership. This Partnership would anchor and help diversify and deepen the relationship between India and Vietnam in a rapidly changing international environment in years to come. This New Strategic Partnership would encompass bilateral relations in the political, economic, security, defence, cultural, scientific and technological dimensions and steer their cooperation at regional and multilateral forums.

 

Political, Defence and Security Cooperation

7. The two leaders highly valued the important contributions made to bilateral cooperation by various existing mechanisms such as the India-Vietnam Joint Commission and the India-Vietnam Foreign Office Consultations and noted the important outcomes of recent high level bilateral visits from both sides. In order to further enhance cooperation and understanding in the context of the New Strategic Partnership established between the two countries, they agreed to establish a strategic dialogue mechanism at the deputy foreign ministerial level.


8. Recognising the important role that India and Vietnam are called to play in the promotion of regional security, the two leaders welcomed the steady development of bilateral national defence and security ties between their countries. They stressed the importance of existing institutional frameworks for defence and security cooperation between the two countries and pledged themselves to strengthen cooperation in defence supplies, joint projects, training cooperation and intelligence exchanges.


9. The two leaders agreed that contacts and exchanges of visits between the Defence and Security establishments of the two countries should be further enhanced.


10. Recognising that both countries have extensive maritime interests, the two sides agreed to work closely to enhance cooperation in capacity building, technical assistance and information sharing between their respective relevant agencies for ensuring security of sea-lanes, including combating piracy, preventing pollution and conducting search and rescue.


11. Recognising that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, the two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes and reiterated that no cause or motive can ever excuse or justify acts of terrorism. They resolved to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner and, to this end, they agreed to convene a meeting of concerned agencies to identify ways and means to further strengthen and expand the existing cooperation in counter-terrorism. Both sides also agreed to further promote cooperation in cyber-security.


12.The two leaders shared the view that in addition to opportunities for development, the on-going process of globalisation has posed a wide range of non-traditional security issues such as drug trafficking, natural calamities, climate change, energy security, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza and other epidemics that could be effectively tackled by international cooperation. Along these lines, they resolved to strengthen bilateral cooperation in dealing with these issues through a sharing of experience, expertise and information.

 

Closer Economic Cooperation and Commercial Engagement

13. The Prime Minister of India reiterated India's commitment to assist Vietnam through soft loans and grants in vital areas of importance to Vietnam's economic development based on the needs projected from time to time by the Vietnamese side. The Prime Minister of Vietnam expressed his appreciation for the assistance extended by India to Vietnam.


14. Recognising that closer economic integration between India and Vietnam could contribute to the transformation of the broader Asian region into an "Arc of Advantage and Prosperity" thereby promoting growth and stability, the two leaders welcomed efforts for the early conclusion of the India-ASEAN FTA. They directed their Trade Ministers to meet at an early date to put in place a strategy for significantly up-scaling bilateral trade and economic cooperation as well as to formulate plans for cooperation at various regional and multilateral forum. The Prime Minister of India agreed to the request of the Prime Minister of Vietnam for India 's assistance in Vietnam's endeavors for fully integrating her economy with the global economy. Congratulating Vietnam on her entry into the WTO, the Prime Minister of India stated that this would provide yet another forum for cooperation between the two sides. The Vietnamese side proposed that India recognise Vietnam as a full market economy. The Indian side positively noted the Vietnamese proposal.


15. The two leaders noted with satisfaction that bilateral trade was growing steadily and resolved to take measures to increase bilateral trade turnover to US$2 billion by 2010. The two sides were, however, aware of Vietnam 's huge trade deficit with India and therefore agreed to take necessary measures to encourage Vietnam 's exports to India so as to reduce the existing trade imbalances between the two sides. They noted that the current year had seen a welcome trend of investment flows from India to Vietnam. There remained, however, considerable untapped potential that could be realised through the diversification of the trade basket and further increases in investments taking advantage of existing complementarities. The two leaders welcomed the enhancement of cooperation between Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries in order to support the private sector through the opening of contact points for business, organisation of trade fairs and organising seminars on exchange of information on trade opportunities, trade experiences, business environment and investment on an annual basis.


16. Recognising the importance of global energy supplies to their respective national interests, the two leaders welcomed proposals for mutual investments and joint ventures in areas of complementarities such as the hydrocarbon and power sectors and directed oil and gas companies on both sides to further enhance their dialogue so as to conclude mutually beneficial agreements. The Vietnamese side noted the interest of some Indian companies for setting up refineries in Vietnam and welcomed the participation of Indian companies in bids for the import of crude oil from Vietnam.


17. The two leaders agreed to work together to improve connectivity and people-to-people contacts between their countries through enhanced tourism, aviation and shipping links. They also agreed to work both bilaterally and with other relevant countries in the ASEAN for improving land transportation linkages between the two countries.

 

Science and Technology Cooperation

18. Both leaders agreed that a New Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam necessitated closer cooperation in the field of science and technology. Both leaders agreed to intensify technological cooperation including in the fields of climate research, health sciences, nanotechnology, biotechnology and other areas.


19. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and other areas of science and technology. They noted that there was considerable potential for scientific collaboration between the two countries in biotechnology, health, pure sciences, agriculture, science management, new materials and climate research.


20. Both leaders noted with satisfaction their ongoing cooperation in the Information and Communication Technology sector and projects in human resource development and advanced computing to enable Vietnam to realise its goal of promoting its software industry in a self-sustaining manner.


21. The Prime Minister of Vietnam welcomed the willingness of the Indian Space Research Organisation in cooperating with the Vietnam ’s space programme and indicated that the Vietnamese side would nominate an appropriate partner in this regard.


22. Both leaders agreed to promote greater linkages between their respective educational and research institutions and centers of excellence and directed their officials concerned to establish linkages between the various centers set up in Vietnam with Indian assistance, so as to benefit from their respective strengths and synergies. They agreed to encourage their citizens to engage in greater research activities, academic exchanges and scholarships.


23. The Vietnamese side agreed to cooperate with India in the areas of its established strength, such as processing of wood and leather products. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation and the exchange of experiences in the fields both sides have strength in, such as trade in and processing of marine products. The two sides also agreed to exchange experiences and collaborate in the global market for agriculture produce like coffee, pepper, cashew, rubber and others.

 

Cultural and Technical Cooperation

24. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture, education and human resource development. The two sides also agreed to expedite a survey by a team of specialists from Archaeological Survey of India as well as its advice on the restoration of the Cham monuments in Vietnam. The Vietnamese side welcomed India ’s contribution to the restoration of Cham monuments in Vietnam.


25. The Prime Minister of Vietnam expressed appreciation for the training opportunities availed of by Vietnamese nationals under India ’s Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), the scholarships offered by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations for undergraduate/postgraduate study in India, training at the Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Vietnam and the proposed Centre for English Language training.


26. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the increase in people-to-people contacts both directly and through institutional mechanisms like friendship associations.

 

Multilateral and Regional Cooperation

27. The two leaders express their commitment to strengthen the role of the United Nations, so that it can become a more effective multilateral system, based on the principles of international law and the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN charter. This would strengthen its role in international peace and security as well as development. They cited the need to advance the objectives of the global agenda in a balanced manner and to adopt a comprehensive approach to the fulfillment of the Millennium Declaration and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.


28. Both leaders reiterated strong support for the ongoing reform of the United Nations and its principal organs, including the Security Council, with a view to making the United Nations more democratic, transparent and efficient so that it can deal more effectively with the myriad challenges of the contemporary world. They emphasised the importance of an early reform of the United Nations Security Council so that it reflects the contemporary realities and functions in a more democratic, transparent and responsive manner. In this regard they stressed that such a reform of the Council implied, amongst other things that the developing world would be more adequately represented, including through Permanent Members on the Council. The Vietnamese Prime Minister conveyed that Vietnam has been consistently supporting India ’s candidature for a Permanent Seat on an expanded and reformed Security Council and reconfirmed this support. The Indian Prime Minister reiterated India ’s support for Vietnam’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2008-2009. The two sides agreed to remain closely engaged on various issues related to the reform of United Nations as reflected in the Outcome Document of the High Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York in September, 2005.


29. Both leaders emphasised the need to cooperate to ensure the successful outcome of the WTO Development Agenda because it would be important for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Both leaders expressed their commitment to ensure that the Doha Development round means a balanced outcome which meets the concerns of the developing countries.


30. The Indian Prime Minister cited the important and constructive role that Vietnam had played in the ASEAN and Vietnam ’s contributions for regional stability. The Vietnamese Prime Minister expressed appreciation for India’s “Look East” policy and the growing partnership between ASEAN and India which had been further strengthened by the adoption of the “India-ASEAN Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity” and its detailed Plan of Action. Both leaders renewed the commitment and active participation of Vietnam and India in the Mekong-Ganga Corporation. Both leaders stressed that the India-ASEAN partnership is based on a common interest in the peace and prosperity of the entire South and Southeast Asian region. They also underlined their shared commitment for deepening the integration process of the Indian economy with the economies of the ASEAN.


31. India expressed appreciation for Vietnam ’s support for India ’s participation in the East Asia Summit. While acknowledging the centrality of ASEAN in leading the process of creating this new regional architecture, both countries reaffirmed the need for all member countries of the East Asia Summit to fully participate and actively contribute to a East Asia community where regional cooperation and integration are facilitated, and agreed to closely work together towards that objective. They further agreed that the East Asia Summit would remain outward looking and inclusive, complementing other existing regional mechanisms.

The two sides further agreed to exchange views and coordinate positions on the matters of mutual concern on multilateral forums, such as ARF, ASEM, EAS and the UN.

 

Conclusion

32. The two sides expressed their conviction that Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s highly successful visit to India and the decision of the two countries to establish a New Strategic Partnership have opened a new chapter in the friendship and cooperation between India and Vietnam.


33. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people expressed his appreciation to the Government and the people of India for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He invited Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to visit Vietnam at a mutually convenient time. The invitation was accepted with pleasure with dates to be decided through diplomatic channels.

 

VOVNews/VNA

Add new comment

Đăng ẩn
Tắt