Vietnamese and Indian defence leaders discussed measures to step up the two countries’ defence ties during the eight Vietnam-India National Defence Strategic Dialogue in Ho Chi Minh City on November 8.

Such measures included the enhancement of high-level meetings between the two defence ministries and cooperation in personnel training, defence industry, naval and air forces.

Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh, who together with his Indian counterpart Radha Krishma Mathur co-chaired the event, highlighted the fruitful relationship between Vietnam and India over the past years.

The two countries have shared strategic interests as well as challenges in ensuring national security and defence, he said.

Vinh voiced his hope that the dialogue will contribute to further strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries, for peace, friendship and mutual interests.

Sharing Vinh’s views, Indian Deputy Minister Radha Krishma Mathur said India considers cooperation with Vietnam one of pillars in the country’s Look East policy.

India always attaches importance to the further expansion of multilateral cooperation, especially the bilateral defence ties with Vietnam, he affirmed.

At the dialogue, the two sides exchanged their views on regional and international issues and reached consensus on fostering the bilateral defence linkage.

India stressed the settlement of the East Sea issue through peaceful solutions and called on relevant sides to observe international conventions, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Vietnamese side applauded India ’s viewpoints in this field and wished that the country will bring into full play its role to contribute to ensuring peace and security in the region and the world at large.

Vietnamese defence leaders called on India to closely partner with the country at regional and international forums and share experience in training forces in preparation for joining UN peacekeeping missions in the coming time.

At the end of the dialogue, the two countries’ defence leaders singed a minutes.-VNA