Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi on October 28, during which both reaffirmed their commitment to comprehensively developing the bilateral strategic partnership.

The two PMs also reached the consensus on major measures and orientations for the two countries’ collaboration in politics, economy, defence security, science technology, culture and education.

They agreed to increase the exchange of all-level delegations, step up cooperation via State and Parliament channels and people-to-people exchange, and regularly organise meetings of existing cooperative mechanisms such as inter-governmental committee, strategic dialogue, political consultation and defence dialogue.

Both sides spoke highly of the rapid development of the bilateral economic ties, stressing the need to further the efficiency of the economic cooperation in order to raise two-way trade to 15 billion USD by 2020.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung vowed to create favourable conditions for the two countries’ businesses to strengthen economic, trade and investment ties in fields that both hold advantages such as oil and gas, energy, infrastructure construction, information technology, agricultural product processing and pharmaceuticals.

For his part, PM Narendra Modi said that he will encourage Indian companies to invest in Vietnam and help the country diversify material resources for industries, particularly the garment and textile sector. He suggested Vietnamese businesses take advantage of India’s economic development programmes like “Made in India” in order to boost mutually beneficial collaboration.

Both sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in defence and security as well as in science-technology, culture and education, adding that with the launch of a direct air route next month, the two countries will initially set up their aviation link.

They pledged to continue effective and close coordination at such regional and international forums as ASEAN-India cooperation, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and within the framework of the United Nations. Vietnam reiterated its support for India to become a member of the UN Security Council when this mechanism expands.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring peace, stability, and maritime and aviation security and safety in the East Sea .

The Indian side said that legitimate rights and interests of nations in the sea must be guaranteed and all disputes must be solved by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese side appreciated India’s stance on the East Sea issue and the country’s commitment to further cooperating with Vietnam in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the sea.

Right after the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements on culture, education, relic conservation, oil and gas, and broadcasting.

They also attended a meeting with the media during which the Indian PM said that his country will help Vietnam modernise its defence and security forces by providing it with a credit package worth 100 million USD to buy patrol ships from India.

Source: vietnamplus.vn