The sides have made unremitting efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the basis of trust, sincerity and responsibility and in a practical, effective and appropriate manner in contribution to building the nations’ strong armies and protecting their sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinh said.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, Government, and people always value and want to foster the country’s traditional friendship and strategic partnership with India based on the sides’ connections in history and culture, similar values and benefits, strategic trust and mutual understanding, and commitments to international law.

In the coming time, the two countries should continue to coordinate well in organising activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations; and to effectively implement their signed cooperation agreements and documents, Chinh noted.

The PM wished India to support Vietnam in disease prevention and control; high-quality human resources training; digital transformation promotion; climate change response, natural disaster prevention and control; and green and circular economy development.

He said he appreciates India's role at international and regional forums, as well as the strong coordination and support shared between the two countries, especially at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

He said Vietnam hopes that India, as a major power in the region, will take practical initiatives and actions to promote the solidarity and centrality of ASEAN in the regional security architecture, as well as the effective implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Government leader stated Vietnam and India need to actively support and participate in multilateral activities organised by each side, especially those within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus and activities between ASEAN and India.

The Government of Vietnam will create the most favourable conditions for the defence ministries and militaries of the two countries to increase exchanges, improve understanding, strengthen mutual trust, and cooperate together for mutual benefits, he stressed.

For his part, Rajnath Singh agreed with his host’s recommendations, particularly regarding the effective implementation of the Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 and a memorandum of understanding on mutual support in logistics between the two defence ministries, both freshly signed.

He said he supports the practical and effective realisation of the UNCLOS in contribution to creating an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Chinh took the occasion to send his invitation to Indian PM Narendra Modi to visit Vietnam at a proper time.

Vietnam and India seek stronger defence ties

Indian Defence Minister India Rajnath Singh is paying an official visit to the nation from June 7-10 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang to promote the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations and the two defence ministries. 
      
During talks held following a welcome ceremony for the Indian defence official, Minister Giang emphasized that the visit by the Indian delegation is of great significance, especially on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

He expressed his confidence that the visit will greatly contribute to fostering ties of friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership between both countries and ministries.

Minister Giang thanked India for supporting the Vietnamese side, especially in offering personnel training, providing credit packages, and assistance to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence.

Regarding the foundation of the Vietnam-India Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and People released in December, 2020, both sides agreed to bolster collaboration to fully and effectively implement signed agreements. Indeed, there will be a specific focus moving forward on increasing contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high ones.

The two sides will maintain and enhance the efficiency of dialogue and consultation mechanisms, especially defence policy consultation at the deputy defence minister level, while simultaneously reinforcing partnership in personnel training and co-operation among armed forces, as well as co-ordination when participating in UN peacekeeping operations. They also consented to beefing up co-ordination and consultations at multilateral forums.

In response, Minister Singh affirmed India’s view that Vietnam is a key partner in its Act East Policy, expressing hope that the comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to flourish and expand across a variety of fields such as politics, defence, security, trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

With regard to regional and global issues of mutual concern, both sides noted that peace, co-operation, and development remain major trends in the world. However, they showed concern at increasingly complicated global developments and the regional political and security situation through both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. This is in addition to the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic globally coupled with the risks of instability which remain in the security environment in the world and the Asia-Pacific region, they continued.

Both sides went on to share their views on the significance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime and aviation security, as well as safety and freedom in the East Sea. This is in addition to the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), along with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the reaching of an efficient and substantial Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), all of which should be done in line with international law.

As part of the occasion, Minister Giang invited leaders of the Ministry of Defence of India and Indian military industrial firms to attend the International Defence Exhibition which is due to take place at the end of the year.

Upon concluding talks, the two ministers signed a statement on the joint defence partnership with a vision towards 2030 and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on mutual support in logistics between the two ministries.

Source: VNA/VOV