Vietnam, India hold 9th political consultation, 6th strategic dialogue

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung and his Indian counterpart Preeti Saran co-chaired the ninth political consultation and sixth strategic dialogue at the deputy foreign ministerial level between Vietnam and India in Hanoi on October 24.
Vietnam, India hold 9th political consultation, 6th strategic dialogue ảnh 1Overview of the ninth political consultation and sixth strategic dialogue (Photo: VNA)
 
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung andhis Indian counterpart Preeti Saran co-chaired the ninth political consultationand sixth strategic dialogue at the deputy foreign ministerial level betweenVietnam and India in Hanoi on October 24.

The two sides shared delight at the growing traditional friendshipbetween the two countries over the past years, especially since the two sidesset up their comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016 and throughmany high-level visits.

They lauded efforts of agencies and localities of both countries inorganising diverse activities to mark the Vietnam-India Friendship Year 2017,the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10-year bilateralstrategic partnership.

Both sides agreed to foster collaboration to prepare for upcoming visitsof senior leaders, and promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including theJoint Committee and Joint Sub-Committee on Trade.

The two sides concurred that it is necessary to seek specific measuresto raise two-way trade to 15 billion USD in 2020 as previously set, strengtheninvestment promotion, minimize the application of trade defence measures onrespective products, and encourage the opening of direct air routes betweenmajor cities of both countries.

The Indian side affirmed its support for Vietnam in improving defencecapacity, training Englsh for soldiers, transferring defence technologies andproviding defence credit.

India suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity, maritime security and fighting terrorism, trans-national crimes andhuman trafficking.

Vietnam and India also agreed to foster connectivity not only inaviation, maritime and road links but also in digital technology, information, telecommunications,while speeding up the disbursement of the 1 billion USD credit package thatIndia has committed to ASEAN countries for connectivity projects.

The two sides also shared viewpoints on regional and global issues ofshared concern. They will work closely with each other and other countries inthe region to optimize opportunities and minimize risks to ensure a strategicsecurity environment and cope with traditional and non-traditional securitychallenges.

They highlighted the traditional and close coordination between Vietnamand India at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations,ASEAN and ASEAN-driven mechanisms.

India reaffirmed its support for ASEAN to play the central role in Asian-Pacificarchitecture, while Vietnam lauded the “Act East Policy” of India and pledgedto successfully organise the summit commemorating the ASEAN-India partnershipin January 2018.

Both Vietnam and India underscored that maintaining peace, stability,maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom benefits countries in andoutside the region. They upheld the principles of dealing with disputes throughpeaceful measures in line with international law, including the UN Conventionon the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while stressing the need to exercise self-restraintand not to take moves complicating the situation, along with the fullimplementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC) and the soon attainment of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The two Foreign Ministries also agreed to have more meetings to shareexperience in coping with issues related to border, territory and regionalsecurity, including maritime security.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minhhosted a reception for Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Preeti Saran. Minh askedthe two sides to work together in preparing for upcoming high-level visits andeffectively implement the Action Programme for the 2017-2020 period. He said hehopes to welcome the Indian Foreign Minister in Vietnam to co-chair the 16th Joint Committee meeting in 2018.

Preeti Saran said that Vietnam is an important pillar in India’s “ActEast Policy”, adding that India has launched many projects, credit package andtechnical support for Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region in general.

During her stay, she also had a meeting with Nguyen Huy Tang, deputyhead of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations to talkParty cooperation and another with Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung todiscuss the East Sea issue and maritime affiliation.

She also conveyed sympathy of her Government and people to victims of recentfloods in the central region.-VNA
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