VN, India organize ninth political consultation, sixth strategic dialogue

The ninth consultation and sixth strategic dialogue between Viet Nam and India, Ha Noi, October 24, 2017 - Photo: VNA

The two sides exchanged measures to enhance cooperation in key areas to raise the two-way trade turnover to US$15 billion by 2020 as well as limit the application of trade defense measures and encourage the launch of new direct air routes. 

The Indian official affirmed her country will assist Viet Nam in improving national defense capacity, training English for military personnel, transferring defense technology and providing defense credit. 

The two sides consented to strengthen cooperation in cyber security, maritime security, preventing terrorism and trans-national crimes and human trafficking. 

Both sides agreed to promote connectivity not only in aviation, maritime and road links but also in digital technology, information, telecommunications and speeding up the disbursement of the US$1 billion India’s credit package for ASEAN countries for connectivity projects.

The two sides also shared issues of international and regional concern, assenting to work closely with each other and other countries in the region to optimize opportunities and minimize risks to ensure a strategic security environment and cope with traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

They highlighted the traditional and close coordination between Viet Nam and India at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN and ASEAN-driven mechanisms.

India reaffirmed its support for ASEAN to play the central role in Asian-Pacific architecture, while Viet Nam lauded the “Act East Policy” of India and pledged to successfully organize the summit commemorating the ASEAN-India partnership in January 2018.

Both sides highlighted the maintenance of peace, stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom benefits countries in and outside the region. 

They upheld the principles of dealing with disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while stressing the need to exercise self-restraint and not to take moves complicating the situation, along with the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the soon attainment of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The two Foreign Ministries also agreed to have more meetings to share experience in coping with issues related to border, territory and regional security, including maritime security.

By Thuy Dung