Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in a meeting on November 4, 2019 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held a phone discussion with his Indiancounterpart Narendra Modi on April 13 regarding the two countries' joint efforts in the fightagainst COVID-19 and the strengthening of the bilateral comprehensive strategicpartnership.
PM Phuc sharedVietnam’s experience in coping with the pandemic and its initial positive results. He emphasised the drastic actions undertaken by the Government to performthe “twin tasks” of combating the epidemic and socio-economic development to ensuresocial welfare, which have been welcomed by the public.
He lauded theIndian PM and government for adopting timely measures to fight COVID-19, includingallocating 22 billion USD in the PM’s welfare package for the poor.
Vietnam is readyto help and cooperate with India to the best of its ability, PM Phuc said. He alsosuggested the Indian Government and agencies create favourable conditions for Vietnamesecitizens in the country.
PM Modi, for his part, touched on the measures taken by the Indian Government.
The two PMs highlightedthe importance of working closely together to share information and experience infighting the epidemic.
They agreed toflexibly adjust the time for teleconferences via existing cooperation mechanismsand to further deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, especiallyin the pillars of national defense, trade, investment, energy, and culture, whileconsidering oil and gas a strategic field in bilateral links in the near future.
In order to achieve15 billion USD in two-way trade this year, they vowed to make it easier for businessesto enhance trade and open up markets for each other’s farm produce.
The two leaders also said they will offer mutual support at regional and globalforums.
Speaking highlyof Vietnam’s important role as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, PM Modi said India will continuesupporting and working closely with the country on regional and global issues ofshared concern in the current context, for the sake of peace and stability in theregion and the world./.
