Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and witnessed the signing ceremonies of 12 cooperation agreements. He also paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen PhuTrong, State President Tran Dai Quang and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Prime MinisterNarendra Modi laid a wreath at the Memorial of National Heroes and Martyrs and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and visited the Ho Chi Minh Residential Complex and the Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi.

 The welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is held solemnly at the Presidential Palace. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

The two Prime Ministers witness the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement in navy forces of the two nations.
Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA


The two leaders attend a press conference after their talks. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

During their talks, the leaders expressed their satisfaction with the strong and comprehensive development of the traditional friendship and Strategic Partnership between the two countries over the years. The Vietnamese side reaffirmed its support for India’s “Act East” policy and its greater role in the region and the world. The Indian leader also asserted that Vietnam is an important pillar part of the nation’s “Act East” policy.

With the current fine relationship, Vietnam and India elevated the current Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also agreed thatsecurity-defense cooperation was an important pillar of this special relationship.

On the occasion, the two sides signed 12 cooperation agreements in many fields. Prime Minister Modi announced a grant of 5 million dollars for the construction of an Army Software Park at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang. The two nations agreed tosoon conclude the MOU for cooperation between the National Security Council Secretariat of India and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam.

The leaders agreed to direct ministries and relevant sectors to take concrete measures to increase the bilateral trade target to 15 billion dollars by 2020; propose enterprises and agencies exploiting cooperation opportunities in preferential sectors and encourage bilateral investment.

 Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA


State President Tran Dai Quang receives the Indian leader Narendra Modi. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA


 National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan receives Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA

Vietnam and India reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in oil and gas; promoting collaboration in renewable energy and fostering connections in finance and banking to speed up economic ties between the two nations. They shared their satisfaction with collaboration in the conclusion of the Program of Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Matters.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in other fields, including culture, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, especially youthsexchanges between Vietnam and India. India announced the offer of special annual scholarships for Vietnamese students for advanced Buddhist studies at Masters/Doctoral level courses and annual scholarships of one year duration for study of Sanskrit in Indian institutes for the members of the Buddhist Sangha in Vietnam. The Indian side affirmed that the nation would continue to provide training through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and provide scholarships for Vietnamese students and Government officials.

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Presidential Palace Historical Site. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA


 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Quan Su Pagoda, Headquarters of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam.
Photo: Doan Tan/VNA 

Regarding the East Sea issue, noting the ruling issued on 12 July 2016 of the PCA constituted under the Annex VII to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), both sides reiterated their support for peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS. 

By VNA/VNP