Shri Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson: Namaskar and Good Evening. Welcome to the Special Briefing on the Virtual Summit between PM and Prime Minister of Vietnam. May I welcome Secretary (East), Smt. Riva Ganguly
Das who has joined us for this briefing. She is also joined by our Ambassador in Vietnam Shri. Pranay Verma. I will begin by inviting Secretary (East) to make her opening remarks following which we will take your questions. Over to you, Ma’am.
Smt. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East): Thank you Anurag and good evening to all of you. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi just held a virtual Summit with Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency
Nguyen Xuan Phuc. This capped a series of high-level exchanges with Vietnam this year, which witnessed visit of Vietnam's Vice President to India in February and the telephonic conversation between the two Prime Ministers in April to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic.
The two Prime Ministers also met online during the 17th ASEAN-India Summit last month. India and Vietnam, enjoy Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has diversified across wide-ranging areas from political engagement to economic and development partnership,
defence and security, energy partnership, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. The discussions at today's Virtual Summit were productive. Both leaders exchanged views on wide-ranging bilateral, regional and global issues. In this context the two
Prime Ministers adopted a Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People to guide the future development of India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. To implement this Vision, a Plan of Action for the period 2021-2023 was also signed between the two
Foreign Ministers, which identify concrete follow-up actions. In addition a number of documents were concluded and announcements made. You will be able to see the full list shortly on the MEA website. Some of our key domestic focus areas have also found resonance
in the Joint Vision document as a roadmap for future development of India-Vietnam bilateral relations. Prime Minister's vision of self-reliant India or Atmanirbhar Bharat and human-centric globalization have been recognized as vital in upgrading our bilateral
economic engagement with Vietnam. These complement with Vietnam’s interest in building reliable, efficient and resilient supply chains in partnership with us. Both sides agreed to also seek new horizons for partnership focusing on all segments of economy including
MSMEs and farming communities of the two countries. Prime Minister invited Vietnamese companies to invest in India and highlighted the urgent need for long overdue review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), as a concrete step towards revitalizing
economic engagement between India and Vietnam, as well as the larger ASEAN region. The two leaders also discussed how to leverage their respective focus on new technology and innovation to deliver good governance, people’s empowerment and sustainable and inclusive
development. In this context, they recognized the synergy between India's ‘Digital India Mission’ and Vietnam's ‘Digital Society Vision’. They also agreed to work together in areas such as peaceful uses of nuclear and space technologies, new developments in
ICT as well as cooperation in startups and smart cities. Prime Minister complimented Vietnam for its success in managing the Covid-19 and expressed support to Vietnam in its fight against the pandemic. The two leaders agreed to intensify our development partnership
that will enable achievement of SDGs, develop capabilities to address climate change and further augment our capacity building engagement through ITEC and e-ITEC initiatives. In this context Prime Minister offered to raise the annual number of Quick Impact
Projects in Vietnam. In a further demonstration of our development cooperation coinciding with the summit, seven development projects completed with Indian Grant-in-Aid Assistance of US$ 1.5 million for the benefit of local community in Vietnam's Ninh Thuan
province were handed over. In addition, our long-standing energy partnership was also highlighted during the Summit discussions. This included not just our existing engagement in oil and gas sectors, but also our new focus on renewable energy. An MOU for partnership
between our solar industry federations underline this intent. In the area of defence cooperation, which is one of the key pillars of our Comprehensive Strategy Partnership, the two leaders identified defence industry cooperation as a priority. The Summit provided
an opportunity to hand over one High-Speed Guard Boat to Vietnam, launch of two other vessels manufactured in India and keel-laying seven vessels being manufactured in Vietnam under the US$ 100 million Defence Line of Credit extended by government of India
for High-Speed Guard Boats manufacturing project with Vietnam. Both sides agreed to further intensify their defence industry collaboration building on the Indian defence credit lines extended to Vietnam. An Implementing Arrangement on Defence Industry Cooperation
was also signed to this effect. A G2G agreement was signed under which India will extend a grant of US$ 5 million to establish an IT infrastructure at the Army Software Park in Telecommunications University in Nha Trang. Both leaders also agreed to further
institutionalize defence exchanges through mutual logistics support, regular ship visits, Joint exercises, Exchanges in Military, Science and Technology, information sharing as well as cooperation in UN peacekeeping. As part of their discussion on security
cooperation, both Prime Ministers also discussed closer engagement in dealing with traditional and non-traditional threats in cyber and maritime domain, terrorism, natural disasters, health security, water security and transnational crimes. On terrorism there
was a strong convergence of views between the two leaders in promoting coordination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism, terror financing networks and safe havens. The two Prime Ministers underscored the
importance of promoting closer people-to-people exchanges. Both leaders announced the launch of a joint project to publish an encyclopedia of India -Vietnam cultural and civilizational relations in time to mark the 50th anniversary of India- Vietnam diplomatic
relations in 2022. Conservation of shared heritage was also highlighted as an important dimension of our emerging cultural and developmental ties. As you are aware our Archaeological Survey of India team is working on restoration of Cham temples in central
Vietnam where recently a 9th century AD monolithic Shivling was discovered. Highlighting our profound common civilizational heritage, Prime Minister agreed to extend Indian assistance for conservation work at three more heritage sites in Vietnam. In the hour
long discussions Prime Minister expressed his heartfelt sympathies on the loss of lives due to flooding and landslides in several provinces of central Vietnam. India has shipped relief material to Vietnam, which will be reaching them lateral this week. During
discussions on regional and multilateral issues, Prime Minister reiterated that Vietnam is an important pillar of our 'Act East' Policy as well as our Indo-Pacific Vision. Prime Minister congratulated Vietnam for successfully steering the ASEAN presidency
despite the disruptions of Covid-19. Both leaders agreed to explore practical cooperation based on convergences between our Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific which Vietnam subscribes too. We also agreed to enhance our development
assistance to Vietnam's Mekong Delta Region under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Framework including in critical areas such as water security. Both leaders also spoke of the importance of promoting a rules-based order in the region including by upholding international
law, especially the UNCLOS. The leaders affirmed that a peaceful, stable, secure, free, open, inclusive and rules-based region is in the common interest of all countries. Prime Minister stressed that the code of conduct negotiations on the South China Sea
should not prejudice the interests of other countries in the region. There was a discussion in the context of both India and Vietnam concurrently serving as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. Both Prime Ministers agreed that India and Vietnam
should work closely, to actively promote reformed multilateralism, to make international organizations including the UN Security Council more representative, contemporary and capable of dealing with current challenges. Vietnam reiterated its strong support
for India's permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council. Overall, it was a fruitful exchange between the two leaders allowing them an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and set new directions for the future of this important
partnership. This reaffirmation to enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas of engagement, support each other's national development and strengthen cooperation against common global challenges provides an important basis to add new substance and momentum
to our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Thank you.
Shri Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson: Thank you ma'am for that comprehensive statement. We have received a few questions which we have grouped as per themes. I'll start with the first cluster which is on Indo-Pacific.
Siddhant from WION wants to know, "Is Vietnam keen to participate in the Indo-Pacific concept and the Indo- Pacific Oceans Initiative? Similar question from Nainima from The Print and Madhurendra from News Nation. In fact Madhurendra from News Nation also
wants to know "’Act East’ policy ko safal banane main Vietnam kis tarah se sahayak sabit ho raha hai?” (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate translation) How is Vietnam proving to be helpful in making the ‘Act East’ policy a success. Ma'am would you like to respond
to this first cluster?
Smt. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East): Sure. Due to its geographical location and our strategic convergences Vietnam remains an important pillar of India's ‘Act East’ Policy. We both share the fundamental principles of
respect for international law and rules-based order. Partnership between India and Vietnam is an important factor of stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The two countries recognized that there are opportunities for practical cooperation in key areas, which
are in line with objectives and principles as stated in the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific and India's Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative. The two sides agreed to explore new and practical collaboration to build capacities in blue economy, maritime security and
safety, and marine environment and sustainable use of maritime resources and maritime connectivity in order to ensure security and growth for all in the region.
Shri Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson:
I have a question from Jai Prakash from Dainik Jagran "Was there any talk on collaboration in the field of hydrocarbons? Can you give us some details? Shankar from India Vs Disinformation also wants to know were there talks on the issue of oil exploration in
the South China Sea?
Smt. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East): I've touched upon it briefly in my statement. As regards our energy partnership with Vietnam, the ongoing collaboration between our energy companies including ONGC Videsh and Vietnamese
companies was discussed as an important part of our bilateral cooperation. Both India and Vietnam as fast developing economies need diverse energy resources for national development. This includes both fossil fuel based energy as well as renewable energy.
Shri Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson: Madhurendra from News Nation. He has two questions, ”Chin aur Vietnam ke conflict ko India kis tarah se dekhta hai? Strategic Partner hone ken nate, Bharat Vietnam ke saath
kya bhumika nibhaega? He has also asked” Bharat aur Vietnam South China Sea mein apni cooperation ko aage kis tarah badhaienge”.(Questioned in Hindi; Approximate translation) How does India see the conflict between China and Vietnam? Being a Strategic Partner,
what role will India play with Vietnam? He also asked” How India and Vietnam will extend their cooperation further in the South China Sea”. A similar question from Siddhant. He says, "Both India and Vietnam have seen aggressive Chinese action.” He wants to
know was this discussed? If yes, any plan to jointly deal with the issue?
Smt. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East): As I mentioned in my statement, the two Prime Ministers exchanged views on wide-ranging bilateral, regional and global issues. During the discussion we shared our perspectives on
emerging geopolitical situation in the region and globally. I've already given details of the discussions held on South China Sea in my statement including our shared emphasis on rules-based order and respect for international law, notably the UNCLOS, as part
of our overall approach towards a free, open, peaceful, stable and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
Shri Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson: Then there are a set of questions which are on defence cooperation. I will summarize them. Whether India and Vietnam discussed the US$ 500 Million LOC provided to Vietnam for
the purchase of defence products and specifically whether the export of Brahmos missiles and other armaments were discussed? These questions are from Sumant Sharma, Sumit Sharma from Asia Times, Ranjeet Kumar from Rakshak News, Shankar from India Vs Disinformation,
Shridhar from Asian Age, Siddhant from WION and Nainima from The Print.
Smt. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East): As I said in my opening statement, defence cooperation is one of the key pillars of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the two leaders identified defence industry cooperation
as a priority. Defence industry cooperation has indeed emerged as an important area. Our two Defence Lines of Credit extended to Vietnam so far are important tools in promoting cooperation in this area. The signing of the Implementation Arrangement for Defence
Industry Cooperation provides a further framework for future engagements between our defence industries. Our overall approach to defence supplies to Vietnam is based on Vietnam's requirements. As regards training, capacity building is an important aspect of
our defence partnership with Vietnam. Vietnamese defence personnel are regularly invited to India under our ITEC and other capacity building programs.
Shri Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson:
The last question that I have Ma'am is from Siddhant "How much focus was on resilient supply chains? Is Vietnam keen on joining India the India led initiative on this issue?
Smt. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East): India and Vietnam are important trade and economic partners. Both countries have been affected by disruptions in supply chain due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the discussions
between our leaders both sides identified building reliable, efficient and resilient supply chains as an important part of our post pandemic revival strategy.
Shri Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson:
I don't see any further questions. So let me thank Secretary (East) and Ambassador for joining us for this special briefing and this concludes the briefing.
Smt. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East): Thank you Anurag.