Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar met his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, on Monday and discussed cooperation between the two countries in defence, politics, and science, among other sectors.
Jaishankar is on a four-day visit to Vietnam, after which he will visit Singapore for two days.
Arrived in Vietnam today.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 15, 2023
Thank you @FMBuiThanhSon for the warm personal welcome at the renowned Tran Quoc pagoda.
Looking forward to co-chairing the 18th Joint Commission Meeting tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/LHs6ebgpln
Meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister
The EAM co-chaired the 18th Meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation with his counterpart in Hanoi.
The two leaders discussed cooperation in various arenas, including political, defence and maritime security, judicial, trade and investment, energy, development, education and training, science and technology and cultural domains.
Jaishankar and Son also shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region and the two countries’ commitment to global issues and collaboration in various multilateral groupings.
The two ministers unveiled commemorative stamps celebrating 50 years of establishing diplomatic ties between India and Vietnam.
The stamps, depicting Kalaripayattu and Vovinam, capture the shared affinity of the two nations for sports and celebrate the strong cultural, social, and people-to-people links.
Personal Welcome, Unveiling of Rabindranath Tagore’s Statue
On the first day of his visit, the Indian EAM was personally welcomed by Son at the Tran Quoc pagoda in Hanoi.
Following this, Jaishankar met members of the Indian community in Bac Ninh.
He was welcomed at the Phat Tich pagoda in Bac Ninh and met Thich Thanh Nhieu of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at Phat Tich.
Additionally, the EAM unveiled a bust of Rabindranath Tagore at the International Friendship Park in Bac Ninh province.
“Gurudev’s works are widely known and appreciated throughout Vietnam,” Jaishankar tweeted on X, adding that the unveiling of the statue will “enhance the international reputation of Bac Ninh province and further its strong ties with India.”
Good to meet Most Ven. Thich Thanh Nhieu of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at Phat Tich.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 15, 2023
Appreciated his positive sentiments about spirituality, yoga, art & culture. pic.twitter.com/oEZJILw6QW
Vietnam Key to India’s Act East Policy
Jaishankar is expected to visit Ho Chi Minh City, where he will hold talks with the Vietnamese leadership.
A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement regarding the visit said India and Vietnam share a robust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Calling Vietnam a key member of India’s Act East Policy, the ministry said Jaishankar’s visit will provide an opportunity to review progress in several areas and further discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Following this trip, the EAM will travel to Singapore on 19 October.
During his two-day visit, Jaishankar will meet his Singaporean counterpart and the country’s top leadership and chair the regional conference of the Indian Heads of Missions.