Vietnam always steps up ASEAN’s central role: Indian expert
Over the course of its 28-year journey as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam has proven to be a proactive, dynamic, responsible nation contributing to the common prosperity of the region, said an Indian expert.
Prof. Rajaram Panda, former member of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi. (Photo: VNA)
New Delhi (VNA) – Over the course of its 28-year journeyas a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam hasproven to be a proactive, dynamic, responsible nation contributing to the commonprosperity of the region, said an Indian expert.
Prof. RajaramPanda, former member of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and theInstitute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi, said over thepast 28 years, Vietnam has taken the initiative and proposed numerousinitiatives to cope with and address ASEAN's challenges and issues.
Vietnam washailed for its prompt, urgent and highly effective response to the COVID-19 pandemicin the early months, making it a model for other ASEAN countries to learn from.The country has also made utmost efforts to formulate a Code of Conduct in the EastSea (COC), he said.
He added thatVietnam has also been actively acting to protect ASEAN's central role. In itsown way, Vietnam has demonstrated its responsibility as an ASEAN member throughits foreign policies. With a well-balanced foreign policy, Vietnamhas successfully found solutions without getting entangled in any conflicts.
Regarding the three pillars forming the ASEAN Community, including Political-SecurityCommunity, Economic Community, and Socio-Cultural Community, the Indian expertbelieved that the second pillar is of utmost importance because achieving thisgoal relies on the foundation of economic development in the region.
During itstenure as ASEAN Chair in 2020, he said Vietnam made great efforts to promoteand effectively uphold ASEAN's central and guiding role, toward the signing of theRegional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in November 2020./.
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Prof. Rajaram Panda, former member of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi. (Photo: VNA) 
