The meeting between PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2022. (Photo: VNA)So said Prof. Bilveer Singh from theDepartment of Political Science at the National University of Singapore in aninterview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of PM Chinh’s official visitto the city state from February 8 to 10.
He held that the way in which Vietnamand Singapore view and understand each other, and together move forward amidnumerous fast-changing external challenges is highly important.
Assessing their strategicpartnership, he highlighted the development of bilateral connections ineconomy, politics, diplomacy, culture, and defence, adding that the twocountries’ relationship have established itself as a special one.
Prof. Bilveer Singh from the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore. (Photo: VNA)The countries are moving in the rightroadmap and should work harder to become the cohesion of ASEAN, he went on,noting that they are the most stable nations in Southeast Asia at present, sothey are in advantageous positions to push the bloc forward.
Talkingabout defence and security cooperation, Singh said the two sides have maintained an annualdefence policy dialogue, but they should further strengthen links between theirnaval, land, air, and civil defence forces. They also need step up officerexchanges to help boost mutual understanding and military ties.
Besides, he also suggested Vietnam andSingapore identify potential cooperation fields ofwhich cyber security is a major area that Singapore is very strong at.
Theprofessor expected that both will together lead ASEAN on the path tosustainable development. As long as they can promote and maintain the bloc’sunity and cooperation with major powers, it will be crucial to safeguardingsecurity in the Indo-Pacific region or the Asia-Pacific region./.
VNA
