Connections between Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean highlighted

The third Indian Ocean Conference (IOC), themed “Building regional architectures”, Ha Noi, August 27-28, 2018 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

The Deputy PM made that statement on August 27 at the third Indian Ocean Conference (IOC), themed “Building regional architectures”, which is co-organized by the Indian Foundation and the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh, Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy PM and Health Minister of Nepal Upendra Yadav, Indian FM Sushma Swaraj and Singaporean FM Vivian Balakrishnan stressed the need to establish an inclusive regional architecture, respecting the international laws with the central role of ASEAN and based on respecting independence and sovereignty as well as facilitating to set up trust and interests for all sides.    

The Indian FM asserted that the connections between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean in general and between India and ASEAN and Viet Nam in particular are not only connections on seas but also sharing on visions with the hope for addressing non-traditional and traditional security challenges, heading to maintain and boost peace, cooperation and development for all nations. 

In the context of facing a number of challenges in the region, the desires for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous region have been further enhanced, said Deputy PM Minh. 

The Singaporean FM supposed that the region contains huge potential, particularly maritime trading.   

Delegates at the event referred to difficulties in establishing a management architecture at the Indo-Asian-Pacific seas but it will bring more opportunities and advantages for sustainable development, stability and prosperity in the region.  

The Indo-Asian-Pacific seas play a crucial role in economic development, making contribution to 68% of the total global trade. 

The conference is organized on August 27-28, attracting the participation of nearly 300 delegates from 40 nations and territories and international organizations and agencies.

The event includes discussions between ministers, high-ranking officials and scholars with a view to heading to maintaining peace, stability and development in the India-Pacific region through dialogues on economics, trade and security and proposing cooperative contents on building trust, respecting international standards and laws and addressing disputes and non-traditional challenges at seas peacefully. 

The organization of the conference in Viet Nam has manifested India’s priorities in the relationship with Viet Nam and the nation’s connection capacity in the Indo-Asian-Pacific region. 

For Viet Nam, the event has contributed to enhancing the Viet Nam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and introducing the nation's active international integration and its responsibilities in building regional architectures for the sake of peace, stability and cooperation. 

By Thuy Dung