Vietnam backs India’s Act East policy and comprehensive connectivity with Southeast Asia, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha) of India Sumitra Mahajan in Hanoi on March 30.

The Party leader thanked Mahajan and her delegation for contributing constructive ideas to the ongoing 132 nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Hanoi, adding that her visit would boost the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

He suggested continuing to utilise existing cooperative mechanisms, realise commitments and deepen bilateral ties.

Mahajan noted that Vietnam is a strategic partner of India in the ASEAN and the broader region and that the country plays a key role in India’s “Look East” policy, now known as the “Act East” policy.

She suggested determination and cooperative potential would further solidify the traditional friendship and coordination between the two countries.

Receiving Mahajan the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the Vietnamese government urges the Indian legislature to back stronger partnerships across economics, trade, investment, tourism, science-technology, education-training, national defence-security, people-to-people exchange, and multilateral forum cooperation.

The government supports the strengthening of ties between Vietnamese and Indian legislatures, he said.

The guest confirmed that Vietnam and India are able to work together in a variety of areas without obstacles.

The upcoming Vietnam visit by Indian Speaker of the Parliament and Defence Minister and the launch of direct flight services will mark a new milestone in the bilateral relationship, she said.