The term “bamboo diplomacy” is coined by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng during a diplomatic conference in 2016 and reiterated at the first national conference on foreign affairs in 2021. – VNA/VNS Photo

NEW DELHI – Việt Nam’s “bamboo diplomacy” is bringing about a lot of benefits to the country, said former Deputy National Security Advisor of India SD Pradhan.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents in New Delhi, Pradhan said Việt Nam’s flexible foreign policy has helped protect interests of the country and its people.

The term “bamboo diplomacy” was coined by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng during a diplomatic conference in 2016 and reiterated at the first national conference on foreign affairs in 2021. During these meetings, the leader likened Việt Nam’s foreign policy to bamboo, with strong roots, solid stems, and flexible branches.

It reflects Việt Nam’s approach to foreign affairs that is utilising existing opportunities to promote interest of its people, he said, noting Trọng’s firm belief in the peaceful settlement of all disputes has laid the foundation for the formation of “bamboo diplomacy”.

He also lauded Việt Nam’s increasing role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations Security Council, as well as the performance of Vietnamese forces in UN peacekeeping missions.

Việt Nam has played an important role in promoting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which is similar to India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Pradhan added, stressing that these steps have significantly enhanced Việt Nam's stature in the international arena.

He praised Party General Secretary Trọng’s leadership in formulating Việt Nam's foreign policy, thereby determining the approach to international and regional issues.

Regarding the Việt Nam-India relationship, he said it has witnessed a significant growth, and that the two countries share views on all regional and international issues, and the wish for settlement through the diplomatic channel. – VNS