Foreign Minister attends Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
VGP - Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and counterparts from ASEAN nations and India attended the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM) to commemorate 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in New Delhi, India, on June 16.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (fourth from left) and counterparts from ASEAN nations and India attend the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM) to commemorate 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, New Delhi, India, June 16., 2022 - Photo: VNA
Addressing the event, Bui reiterated that it is time for ASEAN and India to upgrade the strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation to a higher level, contributing to peace, security and prosperity in the region and the world.
He suggested ASEAN and India join hands in upholding common values, promoting dialogues and cooperation, building trust, harmonizing differences, limiting obstacles, reducing disputes and making active contributions to regional peace, stability and development.
The Vietnamese diplomat recommended ASEAN and India strengthen mutual support to enhance medical capacity, effectively implement the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement, expand cooperation in digital transformation and innovation and sub-regional development, including the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC).
He spoke highly of India's advocacy for ASEAN's stance on the East Sea issue, suggesting India back efforts of ASEAN in building the East Sea of peace, stability, cooperation and environmentally-friendly region, contributing to peace, security and prosperous development in the region and the world.
At the meeting, foreign ministers from ASEAN and India vowed to enhance trade and economic ties to early reach the bilateral trade value of US$200 billion.
Both sides agreed to resume discussion on building ASEAN-India Air Transport Agreement and foster cooperation in science and technology application, digital transformation, energy conversion, climate change adaption and sustainable and green development.
They reiterated resolve to enhance collaboration in maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea.
