Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and his Indian counterpart Radha Krishma Mathur co-hosted the 8th Vietnam-India defence dialogue in HCM City on November 8.

Vinh highlighted the deepening ties linking Vietnam and India, their willingness to cooperate on mutual strategic interests, and their shared outlook on national security and defence challenges.

The latest defence dialogue will boost the two nations’ defence cooperation for the sake of friendship and regional peace.

Krishma Mathur said expanding cooperative relations with Vietnam is a major pillar supporting India’s broader “Look East” foreign policy.

Both sides used the dialogue to compare notes on regional and international security issues, defence cooperation, and India’s preference for East Sea conciliation based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam appreciates India’s support and wants India to shoulder more of the responsibility for maintaining regional and international peace. Vietnam is also eager to coordinate with India at regional and international forums.

The two national representatives discussed organising more high-level defence ministry meetings and joint personnel training, especially in regards to Vietnam’s preparations for contributing to future United Nations peace-keeping deployments..

The defence leaders concluded the dialogue with a formal signing.

VNA