Vietnam, India look to lift comprehensive strategic partnership

ABO/VNA – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind discussed a joint vision to further deepen the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership during their meeting in Hanoi on November 20 on the occasion of the Indian leader’s state visit to Vietnam.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.

The two sides agreed to regularly maintain visits and meetings at all levels, as well as people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms and seek new measures to promote bilateral relations.

PM Phuc took the occasion to convey his invitation to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to visit Vietnam.

 

The two leaders highlighted the effective defence cooperation between the two countries, agreeing that it is a key pillar of the bilateral ties. They applauded the implementation of the US$100 million credit package to support Vietnam’s border forces in building high-speed patrol boats.

 

They stressed the need to give priority to promoting economic cooperation in the coming time, towards soon reaching the goal of US$15 billion in two-way trade.

 

The two leaders suggested concerned ministries and sectors hold dialogues to explore possibilities to open up their markets, especially for goods of their strength.

 

PM Phuc thanked Indian leaders, especially Prime Minister Modi, for their goodwill and willingness to discuss solutions to reduce trade protection, thus protecting the interests of Vietnamese enterprises.

He appreciated India's investment in fields of its strengths and meeting Vietnam’s demand such as energy, renewable energy, and high-tech agriculture.

 

The two sides agreed to intensify cooperation between the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), especially in terms of stepping up the search and exploration of oil. They also agreed to actively implement the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in oil and gas exploration projects in third countries.

 

PM Phuc and President Kovind stressed the need to expand collaboration in the spheres of information technology, science-technology, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange, saying that there is huge potential for the two sides to boost their links in these fields.

 

They also emphasised that it is necessary to increase connectivity, while agreeing to lay smooth conditions for Vietjet to soon operate direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to New Delhi.

 

The two sides agreed to continue working closely and supporting each other at regional and international forums, especially within the United Nations.

 

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the sea; and peacefully settling disputes in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, and soon concluding an effective and binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.