Vietnam’s Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang and Indian Shipping Minister G.K.Vasan signed a bilateral cooperation agreement on shipping and trade in Hanoi on May 24.

The 18-clause agreement will strengthen Vietnam-India maritime traffic, promoting two-way economic and commercial exchanges, and generating opportunities for Vietnamese industry to penetrate regional and international maritime markets.

It also facilitates cargo and passenger transportation between the two countries, allowing the presence of commercial representatives of freight companies of one country in the other country provided that they comply with the laws of the two nations.

Vietnam and India enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, particularly since establishing their Strategic Partnership in 2007.

The agreement provides a foundation for the two countries to speed up cooperation in building ships, and training sailors and officials.-VNA