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A ten member Vietnamese delegation visited Vivekananda International Foundation on 16 April 2014 for discussions and signing of an MOU between the Institute of Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies (IFPSS), Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the VIF for academic exchanges. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Director General of the Institute and Mr. Ajit Doval, Director VIF signed the MOU in the presence of visiting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam H.E. Pham Quang Vinh.

The principal objective of the MOU is to promote intellectual and educational exchanges and enhance cooperation between think tanks of the two countries in the areas of international affairs and establish a long-term collaborative relation in the areas of regional and international security between the VIF and IFPSS. Both the think tanks would organize international conferences, workshops, seminars on issues of common interests.

After signing of the MOU, Mr Doval reviewed the status of India-Vietnam relations in the light of emerging strategic environment in the Asia Pacific. He noted that while the ties between the two countries have become strong yet there was a potential to enhance the relationship in economic and security fields. Similarly, Dr Hoang Tuan pointed out the need for further political, economic and security dialogue between the think tanks of the two nations as the regional situation continues to be in a state of flux. Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister also stressed on strengthening the Indo-Vietnamese relationship and stated that he would support the efforts of cooperation between both the think tanks in any manner he could.