Hanoi: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation, arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam on a three day visit today. On the first day of his visit, Shri Birla held bilateral meetings with President of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc; Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of National Assembly of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue.
In his meeting with the President of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Shri Birla was happy to note that the bilateral relationship between the two countries was transformed into a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in 2016 and a joint vision for peace and prosperity was adopted by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in 2021. Shri Birla mentioned that the comprehensive strategic partnership includes political ties, trade and investment treaties, energy cooperation, development partnership, and defense and security cooperation.
Shri Birla noted that India and Vietnam have a long tradition of mutual cooperation in challenging global circumstances. He expressed happiness that two nations have helped each other in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic. Shri Birla further said that economic relations between India and Vietnam have gained momentum over the years. He added that despite the disruption caused by the COVID pandemic, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at over US$ 13 billion last year.
Shri Birla also mentioned that the defense partnership between the two countries, which has grown significantly based on common interests, has expanded into new areas including defense industrial and technical cooperation. He hoped that the strong bilateral defense cooperation between India and Vietnam will contribute to international peace, regional security and prosperity.
During the day, Shri Birla also called on Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr. Pham Minh Chinh and held wide ranging discussion on bilateral matters. Speaking about economic and trade cooperation, Shri Birla said that Indian investors have keen interest in Vietnam and urged the Prime Minister to create favorable conditions for them in order to encourage more investment.
Shri Birla noted that India and Vietnam have cooperated with each other in taking up global issues as non-permanent members in the UN Security Council. He added that the two countries have been working closely with ASEAN towards a free, open, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. He further remarked that peace and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region has increased through the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
Earlier, Shri Birla was welcomed in a traditional ceremony at the Nation Assembly of Vietnam where he held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the Nation Assembly.
Emphasizing on regular bilateral parliamentary exchanges, Shri Birla observed that regular visits between countries provide opportunities to share views and strengthen legislative cooperation. He added that for this purpose, the India-Vietnam Friendship Group is being formed to provide a new dimension to the mutual relations between the Parliaments of the two countries through regular mutual exchange.