New Delhi, May 26 (VNA) – Vietnam and India signed a joint vision statement on bilateral defence relations in the 2015-2020 period following talks between Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh and his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi on May 25.

The two ministers also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on coordination between the Vietnamese and marine police and the Indian coastguards to prevent transnational crime.

During their talks, held during Minister Phung Quang Thanh visit to India, the two ministers agreed that defence cooperation continues to be one of the key pillars in the strategic partnership between Vietnam and India.

They reviewed the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on national defence cooperation, which was signed between the two countries in 2009 and covers delegation exchanges and military experience sharing.

The two sides agreed to maintain all-level delegation exchanges and improve the efficiency of existing dialogue and consulting mechanism, as well as share know-how in coping with non-traditional security challenges; increase training and defence industry cooperation; and collaborate in UN peacekeeping activities.

Earlier, Minister Thanh met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said his country always places great importance on maintaining and developing the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam.

PM Modi noted that India considers Vietnam one of the leading partners in the Look East policy, and will bolster cooperation with the Southeast Asian country across five pillars, including national defence.

During his working trip to India from May 23 to 26 at the invitation of Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister Phung Quang Thanh held talks with a number of Indian key military officials.

VNA/VNP