Meeting with Singh in Hanoi on April 21, PM Phuc expressed hope that two-way trade will reach USD 15 billion in 2020.
He noted that Vietnam and India have enjoyed sound traditional relations with strong mutual trust, lauding India’s goodwill in providing a preferential credit package to Vietnam for supporting the country’s development, as well as technical assistance in various fields of Vietnam’s demand.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and visiting Indian Secretary of State for External Affairs V.K.Singh
Vietnam hopes that India will continue strengthening bilateral defense cooperation, the Government leader said, and affirmed that Vietnam supports India in continuing its oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities at sea.
He underscored that the two sides should foster connectivity in both road and aviation, while create optimal conditions for aviation service providers to open direct air route linking major political and economic centers of both countries.
Highlighting the importance of close coordination of the two countries at multilateral forums, the PM made clear that Vietnam supports India’s “Act East” policy and higher role and position in the region.
Vietnam supports India in strengthening connectivity and links with the ASEAN in all fields, he added.
PM Phuc also lauded the stance and positive statements of India regarding the East Sea issue over the past year, expressing his hope that India will continue raising its voice for peace, stability, maritime and aviation safety and security in the East Sea, upholding the respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as diplomatic and legal processes, and the settlement of disputes through peaceful methods in line with international law.
On his part, V.K Singh highly valued the sound relations between the two countries and the two government leaders.
He noted that this year, the two sides will celebrate their 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 25 years of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership of which Vietnam plays the role of coordinator.
He underlined that the two countries should build roadmaps and specific plans to implement their comprehensive strategic partnership more effectively.
India is working hard to realize its commitment to provide a USD 500 million credit package to Vietnam, while strengthening affiliation with the country in cyber security, trade protection, defense personnel training, aerospace, and traditional medicine development, he noted.
He also pointed to strong potential in expanding bilateral partnership, and suggested that Vietnam and India should create favorable conditions for people-to-people exchanges through the opening of air routes, while developing maritime transport to serve trade.
Source: VNA