India and Vietnam are celebrating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between them
The 18th India-Vietnam Joint Commission meeting held in Hanoi on Monday (October 16, 2023) saw the two sides discuss greater cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral ties, ranging from defence & maritime security to trade & investment.
 
The meeting was co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
 
"Concluded a productive meeting of the 18th India-Vietnam Joint Commission today in Hanoi. Thank my co- chair @FMBuiThanhSon. 
 
Our discussions covered cooperation in political, defense & maritime security, judicial, trade & investment, energy, development, education & training, science & technology, cultural domains. 
 
Convinced that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will only further strengthen over the coming years. 
 
Also shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region, our commitment to global issues and our collaboration in various multilateral groupings," EAM Jaishankar posted on social media platform X. 
 
The two ministers also unveiled a commemorative stamp celebrating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations. According to a post on X by EAM Jaishankar, the stamps depicting Kalaripayattu and Vovinam “captures our shared affinity for sports and celebrates the strong cultural, social & people-to-people links” between India and Vietnam.
 
EAM Jaishankar is on an official visit to Vietnam from October 15-18, 2023, at the invitation of the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, he will also be visiting Ho Chi Minh City and is expected to hold talks with the Vietnamese leadership. 
 
India and Vietnam share a robust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Vietnam is a key member of India’s Act East Policy. The visit will provide an opportunity to review progress in several areas and discuss ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on the eve of EAM Jaishankar's departure from New Delhi.
 
On the first day of his visit on Sunday, EAM Jaishankar visited the historical Tran Quac Pagoda in Hanoi. He also unveiled the bust of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the International Friendship Park in Bac Ninh province that lies east of Vietnamese capital Hanoi.
 
The second leg of his visit will take EAM Jaishankar to Singapore on October 19-20, 2023. During his visit, he will meet his Singaporean counterpart and the top leadership of the country. He will also chair the regional conference of Indian Heads of Missions. 
 
India and Singapore enjoy a historical relationship which was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2015.
 
In 2023, both sides had several Ministerial interactions on the sidelines of the G20 meetings held under India’s Presidency, for which Singapore was invited as a guest country. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited New Delhi to participate in the G20 Summit held in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023.