Public Diplomacy in Strengthening India: Vietnam Relations

Le Thi Hang Nga and Trieu Hong Quang
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Le Thi Hang Nga: Le Thi Hang Nga is currently Deputy Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Indian and Asian Studies, Head of the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies, VIISAS, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS). She completed her MA in modern Indian history from Delhi University and successfully defended her PhD theses at the Graduate Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. She is interested in studying about Indian foreign policy, Indian international relations, Indian thought and philosophy, Gandhian philosophy and political activities. She has participated and presented at many international conferences abroad (Thailand in 2007 and 2017, Australia in 2012, India in the years 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Philippines in 2013, Germany in 2015, Japan in 2016, Hong Kong in 2017), Australia (2019). She is the author of the book titled ‘Indo-US Relations (1947–1991)’ (2018) and the editor of the book ‘India’s Relations with Its Neighboring Countries in the New Context and Implications for Vietnam’ (2020).
Trieu Hong Quang: Trieu Hong Quang is a researcher at the Institute for Indian and Southwest Asia Studies (VIISAS), Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) where he starts studying the modern history of India. His research and writing are mainly concentrated on contemporary issues in India regarding its international relations, foreign policy and politics. Recently, his work is tightening India–Vietnam educational and cultural cooperation during the joint book ‘India– Vietnam Enhancing Partnership’ (2020, Manohar Publishing House). In terms of an educational background, he received the BA degree in Oriental Studies (2013) as well as the MA degree in Asian Studies (2018), in Vietnam. Since 2019, Quang has held a scholarship from the Hungarian government to study PhD in History at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest with the ongoing dissertation topic about ‘Soft power in India’s foreign policy towards Southeast Asia from 1990 to 2010’.

India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, 2021, vol. 77, issue 2, 289-303

Abstract: It is noticeable that India–Vietnam relations have remained stable and had signs of development despite the new challenges in the global and regional environment due to COVID-19 pandemic. The authors of this article are of the view that one of the factors that help maintain the stability and development of bilateral relations in the current context is public diplomacy. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, India has invested a huge amount of resources in public diplomacy to leverage India’s soft power. A dedicated public diplomacy division within the Ministry of External Affairs was set up in May 2006, many new schemes were designed to engage domestic and foreign public opinion and a series of high-profile dialogues with foreign think tanks were organised. By utilising both traditional and new approaches of public diplomacy, India is actively seeking new audiences within and outside India. India’s foreign policymaking process has become more open and democratic with the contribution of communities outside the New Delhi political and diplomatic elite. New media has also been utilised to reach its various target audiences. Vietnam considers public diplomacy an important pillar of the comprehensive diplomacy of the country. Public diplomacy helps Vietnam succeed in implementing comprehensive and effective foreign policies. It contributes important part in building cooperative, peaceful and friendly relations between Vietnam and international partners. The importance that both India and Vietnam attach to public diplomacy has many implications for strengthening Vietnam–India relations in the current context. This article focuses on India and Vietnam’s public diplomacy as an instrument of strengthening bilateral relations, and thereby proposes suggestions for both sides to enhance cooperation in the future.

Keywords: Public diplomacy; Vietnam; India; soft power; instrument (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:indqtr:v:77:y:2021:i:2:p:289-303

DOI: 10.1177/09749284211005012

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