Hanoi (VNA) - General Ngo Xuan Lich - Politburomember, Vice Secretary of the Central MilitaryCommission and Defence Minister on November23 hosted a reception for Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army Bipin Rawat,who is on a working visit to Vietnam.
The Vietnamese minister said he believes the visit will contribute to fosteringthe traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership betweenVietnam and India in general and the bilateral adefence cooperation inparticular, for the benefits of their people and for peace, stability,cooperation and development in the region and the world.
He suggested agencies of the Vietnamese and Indian Defence Ministries boost existingcooperation mechanisms such as the deputy ministerial level defence policydialogue, bilateral defence working group meeting and consultation betweenofficers of naval, land and air forces.
Lichunderlined the need for the two sides to promote coordination in personneltraining, defence industry, strategic research, and joining UN peacekeeping operations.
Earlier, Deputy Chief of the General Staff ofthe Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) Sen. Lieut. Gen Pham Hong Huong held talks withGen. Bipin Rawat, during which they reviewed the defencecooperation between the two countries over the past time and proposed collaborationareas in the time to come.
During his stay, BipinRawat laid a wreath at the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, offered incenseto commemorate late General Vo Nguyen Giap at his home, and visit a number of VPAunits.-VNA
VNA