Vietnam has also called for enhancing trade and aerial connectivity between with India

New Delhi: Amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang has made a strong pitch for deepening Indo-Vietnam maritime connectivity in the strategically critical sea lanes as he embarks on a significant state visit to India.

Tran, who will arrive in India on March 2 on a three-day state visit, also feels that India and Vietnam are "blessed" with strategic locations in South Asia and South East Asia, respectively, and there is immense potential for the two countries to cooperate in different areas.

"Furthermore, both countries are endowed with advantages to develop maritime economy. In this regard, we could increase information exchange and share experience in formulating maritime strategies," Tran told PTI in an interview.

His call for deepening Indo-Vietnam maritime connectivity assumes significance as the US, Japan and a number of other countries have pitched for a greater role for India in the Indo-Pacific region, apparently to contain China's growing influence.

The Vietnamese president also called for enhancing trade and aerial connectivity between the two countries.

"India and Vietnam are blessed with strategic locations in South Asia and South East Asia, respectively, aside from young population, large workforce, huge markets and rapid economic growth. Hence, the two countries may promote cooperation in such areas as production, manufacturing, infrastructure development, renewable energy, information technology...and new technology application such as biotechnology, green agriculture, nano technology, new materials, among others," he said.

He also asserted that Indian initiatives, including 'Make in India', 'Digital India' and '100 Smart Cities', and India's achievements in developing a knowledge economy offer multiple opportunities for cooperation, investment and doing business for enterprises of both countries.