AMN /
India and Vietnam on Saturday signed 12 agreements in different areas of cooperation. The agreements include exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, double taxation avoidance, co-operation on UN peacekeeping operation, health, cyber security, advanced IT training, sharing of shipping information between the Navies of the two countries and mutual recognition of standards.
In a joint press statement in Hanoi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc announced that both countries have also agreed to elevate bilateral relations from Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Mr Modi also announced a line of credit of 500 million US dollars to Vietnam to facilitate deeper defence cooperation.
During his meeting with Mr. Modi, Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang said, his country fully supports India’s Act East Policy.
He said, partnership between the two countries will strengthen peace, development and security in the region. Mr Quang sought further support from India in investment, education, training and Science and technology and asked for more Indian participation in oil and gas sectors of Vietnam.
Mr Modi lauded the strong foundation that had been laid for security and defence ties between the two countries. He said, Vietnam is a priority in India’s Act East Policy and greater economic partnership would be win-win for both countries.
During Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Chairperson of National Assembly Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Ngam, the two leaders called for greater parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.
Mr Modi also called on General Secretary of Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong.
Mr Trong said, India Vietnam relations were time tested and very durable. He said, Vietnam appreciates India’s principled position on the South China Sea issue.