NEW DELHI — Việt Nam’s President Trần Đại Quang held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, during which both leaders highly valued the intensive and extensive development of relations between Việt Nam and India over the last 45 years, since the countries officially established diplomatic ties, and reiterated their close-knit friendship.

The talks were attended by Việt Nam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh, Chairman of the Presidential Office Đào Việt Trung, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường, Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Tôn Sinh Thành, and other senior officials.

The Indian representatives included Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Misra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish.

President Quang expressed his pleasure on visiting India and congratulated the Indian State and people on their remarkable achievements over recent years, especially high and stable economic growth as well as major strides in science-technology and India’s increasing role and position in the region and around the world.

For his part, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Việt Nam on its accomplishments in nation building and development, particularly in its successful hosting of the APEC Year 2017.

After speaking of the strong development in relations between the two countries, and reiterating their close-knit friendship, the leaders agreed to fully implement high-level political commitments and the approved documents on political ties.

The countries will also strongly tap their potential and advantages so as to intensify co-operation in all spheres. They will increase mutual visits at all levels and enhance co-operation between their Parties, States, Governments, parliaments, localities and people.

To boost bilateral trade to US$15 billion in 2020, the leaders agreed to carry out breakthrough solutions, including diversifying export goods of their potential and strength, minimising trade barriers, closely consulting with each other on trade policy, and expanding aviation and navigation connectivity to facilitate trade activities.

They also agreed to exchange development aid packages in fields in which they can make breakthroughs, such as infrastructure, human resources and science-technology, while improving research and development capacity.

President Quang noted Việt Nam wanted to welcome an inflow of investment from big Indian businesses, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, education, and information technology.

The two sides agreed to strengthen defence-security co-operation, especially in English language training, capacity building, skill training, technology transfer, preferential credit provision, and hi-tech crime prevention.

The Vietnamese leader welcomed an upcoming visit to his country by the Indian defence minister, appreciating the high priority India has placed on defence ties and continuing support for Việt Nam in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The two leaders affirmed the importance of raising awareness among young Vietnamese and Indian people of the long-standing cultural and religious ties between the two countries, thus promoting people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding.

President Quang lauded India’s support for Việt Nam implementation of a project to conserve and embellish the Mỹ Sơn holy site, as well as the country’s future assistance in preserving the Chăm towers in Ninh Thuận Province.

While comparing their notes on regional and international issues of common concern, Quang and Modi agreed on the importance of maintaining peace, stability and aviation and navigation freedom; settling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and fully respecting diplomatic and legal procedures.

They also underlined the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon achieve a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Modi affirmed that India would continue to promote the implementation of its “Act East Policy” to boost co-operation with the Asia-Pacific region, noting that Việt Nam is a priority and plays a key role in this policy.

The two sides agreed to support each other at international and regional forums, especially in running for seats in important agencies of the United Nations, and in sharing initiatives on global issues to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

After their talks, President Quang and PM Modi witnessed the hand-over of co-operation agreements signed during the visit, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides’ ministries of industry and trade on economic and trade co-operation; an Action Plan on agricultural collaboration in 2018-2020; and an MoU on co-operation between the Việt Nam Atomic Energy Institute and the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. — VNS