Vietnam attached importance to promoting multifaceted cooperation with traditional friendly countries, naming India as one of its priority partners.

State President Truong Tan Sang made the statement at a reception for Indian Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma in Hanoi on September 16, on the occasion of his visit to Vietnam to attend the sixth Vietnamese – Indian Defence Dialogue at deputy ministerial level.

Sang said that Vietnam and India had fine traditional friendly relations which were founded by the late Presidents Nehru and Ho Chi Minh and fostered by generations of leaders and peoples of the two countries.

He said he believed that on the basis of great political determination, mutual trust and understanding, and a strong commitment to cooperation, the Vietnam – India strategic partnership would develop strongly for the benefit of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The State leader praised the outcomes of cooperation between the two defence ministries and supported cooperative initiatives outlined at the sixth deputy ministerial level Defence Dialogue.

He said that the two sides needed to engage in more cooperative activities to mark the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 5 th anniversary of strategic partnership between the two countries in 2012.

Sharma affirmed that defence relations had achieved fine development, as evidenced by the exchanges of military delegations at all levels, stronger cooperation in personnel training and defence technologies, as well as hosting defence dialogues at deputy ministerial level.

India attached importance to developing comprehensive cooperation and friendship with Vietnam, including in national defence, to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, said Sharma.

On the occasion, Sang conveyed his greetings to Indian President Pratibha Patil./.