Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind discussed a joint visionto further deepen the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership duringtheir meeting in Hanoi on November 20 on the occasion of the Indian leader’s statevisit to Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to regularly maintain visits and meetings at all levels, aswell as people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and effectivelyimplement existing cooperation mechanisms and seek new measures to promote bilateralrelations.

PM Phuc took the occasion to convey his invitation to his Indian counterpart NarendraModi to visit Vietnam.

The two leaders highlighted the effective defence cooperation between the twocountries, agreeing that it is a key pillar of the bilateral ties. Theyapplauded the implementation of the 100-million-USD credit package to support Vietnam’sborder forces in building high-speed patrol boats.

They stressed the need to give priority to promoting economic cooperation in thecoming time, towards soon reaching the goal of 15 billion USD in two-way trade.

The two leaders suggested concerned ministries and sectors hold dialogues toexplore possibilities to open up their markets, especially for goods of theirstrength.

PM Phuc thanked Indian leaders, especially Prime Minister Modi, for their goodwilland willingness to discuss solutions to reduce trade protection, thus protectingthe interests of Vietnamese enterprises.

He appreciated India's investment in fields of its strengths and meeting Vietnam’sdemand such as energy, renewable energy, and high-tech agriculture.

The two sides agreed to intensify cooperation between the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India and theVietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), especially in terms of stepping up thesearch and exploration of oil. They also agreed to actively implement the memorandumof understanding on cooperation in oil and gas exploration projects in thirdcountries.

PMPhuc and President Kovind stressed the need to expand collaboration in thespheres of information technology, science-technology, culture, tourism, andpeople-to-people exchange, saying that there is huge potential for the two sidesto boost their links in these fields.


Theyalso emphasised that it is necessary to increase connectivity, while agreeingto lay smooth conditions for Vietjet to soon operate direct flights from Ho ChiMinh City to New Delhi.

Thetwo sides agreed to continue working closely and supporting each other atregional and international forums, especially within the United Nations.

Regardingthe East Sea issue, the two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining peace,stability, security, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the sea; and peacefullysettling disputes in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982,and soon concluding an effective andbinding Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.–VNA