New Delhi (VNA) – The secondVietnam Forum took place in New Delhi on December 21 under the theme “EnhancingVietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership towards 2030”.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassadorto India Nguyen Thanh Hai said the two countries share a common target ofcreating a peaceful and stable environment for national development. They alsoattach importance to the multilateralisation and diversification of foreignrelations, and supports regional and world orders based on international law.

He held that the countries hold muchpotential for reinforcing coordination at regional and international forumslike what they have done at the United Nations General Assembly and otherorganisations.

Sanjeev Jain, Director for South atthe Indian Ministry of External Affairs, highly valued achievements in bilateralrelations over the last 50 years, noting that the two countries will continue promotingthese relations and obtain more successes in the coming time.

Other participants shared the viewthat Vietnam and India boast considerable convergence of strategic interests asthey share many values, have common viewpoints on regional and internationalissues, carry out strategic foreign policies of self-reliance, consider eachother as highly prioritised partners in their foreign policies, and serve asactive members in multilateral mechanisms.

There remains huge room for the twocountries to develop bilateral cooperation on par with the comprehensivestrategic partnership, experts said, adding that to make relations moreintensive and substantive, aside from bringing into play achievementsobtained in the recent past, the Vietnamese and Indian Governments should stepup connections in multiple areas.

In terms of politics-diplomacy,both sides should foster delegation exchanges at all levels and cooperationprogrammes between ministries, sectors, and localities; strengthen bilateral cooperationmechanisms; and maintain effective coordination at multilateral forums.

Vietnam and India also need to expandand consolidate security and defence ties, including in defence manufacturingand navigation.

Regarding economy and trade, theyshould make use of every resource to boost partnerships for common development,intensify and expand bilateral and multilateral investment cooperationagreements, and increase connectivity in maritime and air transport tofacilitate economic and trade links.

In addition, the two sides shouldstep up popularising each other’s culture and tourism, preserve the values oftheir cultural connectivity, and simplify travel procedures, according toexperts.

At the forum, participants alsoexpressed their wish to witness the elevation of the Vietnam - India ties to anew level in the time ahead./.