HYDERABAD: As part of the 127th birth anniversary of Vietnam’s first president Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh, was in Hyderabad on Friday. He launched a book titled ‘Ho Chi Minh’s Life History’ in the presence of Deputy chief minister Kadiyam Srihari.
On the occasion, the ambassador spoke to Express about the purpose of his visit and his impending appointment with the Chief Minister here.
When asked about Vietnam’s expectations from Telangana, Ton Sinh Thanh said that Telangana, being a modern state, especially in terms of the IT industry, there is a lot it could offer. “We hope that businessmen from TS would come to Vietnam for business, especially in IT sector.”
Quipping on the ‘Make in India’ pitch, he said, “I think some Vietnamese companies can come and see if they have opportunities here but we expect several companies from Telangana to come to Vietnam.”
Vietnam had recently made its presence felt at China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) summit in Beijing. When asked if Vietnam would be joining OBOR, he said : “Not really. We just attended the conference. We have not said we will join or not join. We were there to see what is good for us, if OBOR good we will take it, if not, then no.”
To a question on whether Vietnam, like India, considers the OBOR as a “debt trap”, he said: “We have to know the two sides (the good and the bad). If it will bring benefit to Vietnam, then we will welcome it, if it brings debt then, we shall not accept it.”
When asked how does Vietnam view India’s decision to skip the conference and possibly stay out of OBOR, he said, “India has a reason to do so, but India is a strong country with their own connectivity programme there are many options for India,” he said.