Vietnamese PM holds talks with Indian counterpart

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) shakes hands with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi,  New Delhi, January 24, 2018 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

PM Narendra Modi welcomed the Vietnamese counterpart to the events in India and praised Viet Nam’s role as the coordinator in the ASEAN-India relations, thus making positive contribution to the closer ties between India and ASEAN and the success of the Summit. 

PM Phuc congratulated India on its significant achievements attained in economics, society, national defense, science and technology.

They expressed their satisfaction at the robust development in the bilateral ties especially after the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership during the official visit of PM Narendra Modi to Viet Nam in September, 2016. The two PMs hailed the celebrative activities during the Friendship Year 2017, which contributed to cementing and deepening the cooperation in all areas especially in culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. 

They were unanimous in maintaining visits at all levels and early hosting the Joint Commission Meeting at the Foreign Minister level in early 2018 in Ha Noi with a view to reviewing cooperation and setting specific measures to deploy the Action Program in the 2017-2020 period. 

Cooperation in national technology transfer

Regarding cooperation in national defense-security which is an important pillar of the bilateral ties, the two PMs recommended confidential and effective cooperation on the field. 

PM Phuc hoped that India would continue to support Viet Nam to improve capacity building; beef up technology transfer; and provide national defense credits. 

PM Modi welcomed regular exchanges of delegations; maintenance of national defense and security mechanisms; and called upon the two sides to implement reached packages of credit on national defense. 

Both sides were unanimous that the two-way trade turnover surged sharply but failed to match with respective potentials and strength. Meanwhile, bilateral investment remained modest. To fulfill the preset goal of US$ 15 billion two-way trade turnover by 2020, they proposed the Sub-committee on trade early convene a meeting in early 2018 to research and figure out solutions, especially via development of aviation and maritime connectivity in order to cut time of transportation; reduce costs; raise competitiveness; limit, then gradually remove trade barriers; and create favorable ways for imports. 

PM Phuc took the occasion to welcome and pledge to offer favorable conditions for Indian businesses to strengthen economic and trade linkages with Viet Nam on their fields of strengths and areas which Viet Nam has demand including infrastructure, IT, mechanics, energy, industries and high-tech farming.  

PM Narendra Modi suggested Viet Nam open doors for Indian visitors to beef up their presence in Viet Nam in such areas as petroleum, renewable energy, and pharmacy. 

India, said PM Narendra Modi revealed that India would continue to support capacity development via the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program; the Mekong-Gana Cooperation (MGC), Quick Impact Projects (QIPs); and consider to granting more scholarships for Vietnamese students and assisting the Southeast Asian nation to build vocational training centers. 

Both sides agreed to support each other at multilateral forums especially the United Nations. 

As the coordinating country in ASEAN-India relations in the 2015-2018, Viet Nam stands ready to work with India to strengthen multifaceted ties with ASEAN, PM Phuc said. 

Regarding the East Sea issues, the two sides stressed the significance of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of aviation and navigation, peaceful solutions to disputes in respect for international law. 

PM Phuc welcomed India to cooperate with Viet Nam in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Vietnamese exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the East Sea. He affirmed that Viet Nam is willing to shake hands with India and other ASEAN countries to promote maritime security cooperation in regional important conferences. 

After talks, they witnessed the handover of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications and the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; an agreement between the Viet Nam Remote Sensing Center and the Indian Space Research Organization./.

By Kim Anh