Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son met on Monday in Hanoi to discuss ways to boost cooperation in key areas such as trade, energy, defense, and maritime security. The two ministers also shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region, amid China’s growing assertiveness in the area.
Jaishankar and Son jointly unveiled commemorative stamps celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties between India and Vietnam. The stamps depict Kalaripayattu and Vovinam, the traditional martial arts of India and Vietnam, respectively, symbolizing the shared cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Jaishankar, who arrived in Vietnam on Sunday for a four-day visit, also attended a meeting of the 18th India-Vietnam Joint Commission. The two sides discussed cooperation in a wide range of areas, including political, defense, maritime security, judicial, trade and investment, energy, development, education and training, science and technology, and culture.
Jaishankar expressed confidence that India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam will continue to grow stronger in the years to come. He also shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region with Son, emphasizing the two countries’ commitment to a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific, in the backdrop of China’s rising military activities in the region.
The Indo-Pacific is a biogeographic region that encompasses the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea. The United States, India, and several other world powers have been discussing the need to ensure a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s growing military assertiveness in the region.
