Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse (Source: VNA)

Themed “Shared Values, Common Destiny”, the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit lauded the positive achievements in ASEAN-India cooperation over the past years as well as welcomed Vietnam’s efforts to promote ASEAN-India relations in its role as coordinator. 

During a thematic session on maritime security, the leaders of ASEAN and India committed to continuing dialogues and collaboration via regional mechanisms in order to maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation. They agreed to settle disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

On the occasion, the leaders of ASEAN and India expressed support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon finalise a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. 

In his speech, PM Phuc proposed three key tasks, including fostering trade and investment ties as a key driving force and top priority in the ASEAN-India strategic partnership; increasing connectivity to ensure inter-regional sustainability; and enhancing coordination for the sake of peace, stability in the region, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, coping with traditional and non-traditional challenges. 

Regarding cooperation in marine security, the PM urged ASEAN and India to strengthen coordination and respect law, including the 1982 UNCLOS while focusing on measures to deal with maritime challenges and develop a green sea-based economy.

He called for the early completion of the marine transportation agreement and information sharing in marine policies as well as cooperation in the inter-regional Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

At the end of the summit, the ASEAN and Indian leaders adopted the Delhi Declaration,  mapping out visions to promote the bilateral strategic partnership in the years to come.

On the sidelines of the event, PM Phuc held talks with his Indian counterpart Modi, met bilaterally with Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong, Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss ways to further boost bilateral ties. 

During their talks, the Vietnamese and Indian PMs agreed to raise two-way trade to 15 billion USD before 2020 and witnessed the hand-over of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications and the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and a cooperation agreement between the National Remote Sensing Department of Vietnam and the Indian Space Research Organisation. 

Together with the ASEAN leaders, PM Phuc attended a parade marking the 69th anniversary of Republic Day of India as key guests of the Indian President. 

He also received executives of major Indian firms operating in Vietnam such as TATA, Larsen & Toubro, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Suzlon Energy Limited, Adani Green Energy and vDoIT.