A Akhter / New Delhi
India and Vietnam today agreed to reinforce cooperation at the level of governments and businesses for increasing two-way trade, investment and technological partnership during the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the visiting President of Vietnam To Lam.
Briefing the media after the bilateral talks in New Delhi today, Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs P Kumaran, said that Prime Minister Modi and President To Lam held wide-ranging discussions and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. He said that the two countries will facilitate market access, including for agricultural products in respective countries. Mr Kumaran said, both sides agreed to explore ways for a more conducive regulatory environment to facilitate ease of doing business for companies of both countries, including in standards compliance certification.
Acknowledging the advancements made by the Indian pharmaceutical industry, the two sides agreed to explore ways for the potential participation of Indian companies in the procurement of medicines for Vietnamese public healthcare facilities from 2027. Mr Kumaran said that the leaders agreed to promote exchange of knowledge, research and best practices, while encouraging closer institutional linkages.
Both the leaders reaffirmed that defence and security cooperation is a key pillar of the India and Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also decided to enhance defence systems procurement between the two countries. Mr Kumaran said that the leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in legal and judicial fields between the two countries through the effective implementation of the MoU between the Ministry of Law and Justice of India and the Ministry of Justice of Viet Nam. He said that the leaders emphasised that deepening India and Vietnam ties will continue to bring mutual benefit to their peoples and contribute meaningfully towards achieving their respective national goals.