External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar on October 17, unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Tao Dan Park of Ho Chi Minh City. The EAM termed the occasion of great significance. The EAM is on an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son.
“This is a very symbolic moment of our friendship.Mahatma Gandhi is without question one of the most iconic figures of our contemporary world and his contributions to truth, non-violence, independence and freedom of people have been recognised by the United Nations by proclaiming his birthday, 2nd October as International Day of non-violence,” EAM said.
“Underlines the message of independence, self-reliance and human dignity that brings India and Vietnam together,” shared EAM Dr. S Jaishankar on social media platform X.
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In Vietnam, the EAM also met the Vietnamese leadership. On October 17, he met Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen, and appreciated the contribution of HCMC to the India-Vietnam partnership. Earlier on October 16, EAM Jaishakar had a useful exchange of views with Le Hoai Trung, Chairman of the External Relation Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The convergent approach of India and Vietnam on key regional and global issues was manifest, he said post the meeting.
https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1713876449961418825?s=20
The EAM also called on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam on October 16 and conveyed the greetings of PM Narendra Modi. “Valued his guidance for the further development of our bilateral relationship. A stronger India-Vietnam partnership contributes to a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the EAM said later.
On Monday, EAM had co-chaired the 18th India-Vietnam Joint Commission meeting in Hanoi along with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son. Their discussions covered cooperation in political, defence and maritime security, judicial, trade and investment, energy, development, education and training, science and technology, and cultural domains. Following the successful conduct of a productive meeting, EAM Dr. Jaishankar informed that the leaders shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region, their commitment to global issues and our collaboration in various multilateral groupings.
He also addressed the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam on “India in the Indo-Pacific” and discussed why cooperating in the Indo-Pacific construct is in our shared interests. “Underlined the significance of ASEAN centrality and highlighted the contribution of the Quad. Brought out how India and Vietnam, with their independent mindset, can promote a multipolar and rules based global order,” EAM said.
Following the visit to Vietnam, EAM Dr. S Jaishankar will fly to Singapore on an official visit from October 19-20.