Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has affirmed Vietnam’s constant policy of attaching importance to, consolidating and strengthening the reliable friendship, long-lasting tradition and strategic partnership with India.
Dung made the statement at his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on December 21, during which the two PMs discussed measures to boost cooperation between the two countries.
They agreed to increase the exchange of high-ranking delegations, maintain existing cooperation mechanisms, promptly establish the trade inter-committee and an education and training joint working group, and implement signed agreements to raise bilateral trade to 7 billion USD in 2015.
The two leaders also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in information technology, biology, aerospace, nanotechnology, oceanography and Indian studies.
The two sides pledged to continue cooperating at regional and international forums. They affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea , resolving disputes through peaceful means, abiding by international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and looking forwards to build the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea .
The two PMs spoke highly of the close cooperation between both countries’ agencies in organising activities to mark the 40 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the Vietnam-India 2012 Friendship Year.
The leaders expressed their pleasure at the developing strategic partnership between the two countries and vowed to continue cooperation in all fields, including politics, economics, national defence and security, science and technology, culture, and education and training.
Dung congratulated India on its successful organisation of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, describing it a milestone in the history of the friendship and strategic cooperation between India and ASEAN, and with Vietnam in particular.
Singh spoke highly of Vietnam ’s active participation at the event and stated that Vietnam is one of India’s most important partners in its “Look East” policy.
Dung and his entourage left New Delhi for Vietnam the same day.-VNA
