The delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence hold talks with representatives of the Indian Ministry of Defence. (Photo: VNA) New Delhi (VNA) –A high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence led by Minister Gen.Phan Van Giang is paying an official visit to India from June 17-20 at theinvitation of his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.
Singhhosted a welcome ceremony for Giang and the Vietnamesedelegation on June 19 morning at the headquarters of the Indian Ministry ofDefense.
After that, the two sidesheld talks during which Singh warmly welcomed Giang and thedelegation, affirming that their visit will contribute to tightening thefriendship relationship between the people and armies of the two countries.
Singh affirmed thatVietnam is an important partner in India's Act East Policy. Cooperation betweenthe two countries has increasingly been developing comprehensively in the fields ofpolitics - diplomacy, economy - trade, defence - security, culture, education -training, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Indian minister emphasised that India wants to strengthen its comprehensivecooperation relationship with Vietnam, including in the field of defence.
Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh. (Photo: VNA) The two ministers agreedthat the relationship between the two countries is traditional and friendly ties,fostered by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, and isdeveloping fruitfully.
Giang said thatIndia is a close reliable friend of Vietnam. On behalf of theGovernment and people of Vietnam, Giang thanked the Government and peopleof India for giving the Vietnamese people valuable support during its past struggles for independence and today's national development.
The two sides agreed thatover the past time, the defence cooperation between Vietnam andIndia has been promoted following the frameworks, signed cooperation documentsand agreements, and achieved practical results in areas, including the exchange ofdelegations, consultation and dialogue mechanisms, training, army services,defence industry, United Nations peacekeeping, and strategy research.
In the coming time, basedon the Joint Vision Statement on the Vietnam-India defence partnership to2030, and in line with the friendship, tradition, and comprehensive strategicpartnership between the two countries, their cooperation will be promoted in various areas.
Regarding multilateralcooperation, the two sides assessed that India and Vietnam have similar viewson many regional and international issues, and closely coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums, especially within the framework of theUnited Nations and ASEAN mechanisms of which India is a partner such as theASEAN-India Summit and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM ).
Regarding the East Seaissue, the two sides shared the view on settling disputes by peaceful measures, and respecting the diplomatic and legal processes in line with the principles of internationallaw, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The visit of Minister PhanVan Giang and the Vietnamese delegation has contributed to the furtherdevelopment of bilateral defence cooperation - an important and strategicpillar of the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefitof the people of each country, and for peace and stability in the region and in theworld./.
