Indian PM Narendra Modi (R) and Vietnamese Defense Minister, General Ngo Xuan Lich
During the reception given to the Vietnamese delegation, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two sides discussed the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially the defense ties.
Minister Ngo Xuan Lich also had talks with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar during which the two defense ministers reached agreements on many issues on defense cooperation, concretizing and promoting the Vietnam – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including quickly implementing the US$ 500 million line of credit package at a preferential interest rate that India offered Vietnam to develop the country’s defense industry.
Minister Ngo Xuan Lich also called at the Vietnamese Embassy in India and some units of the Indian military.
Within the framework of the visit, many bilateral meetings among services and businesses of the two countries also took place. They include the Roundtable conference between the Indian businesses and the Vietnamese defense industry ones, hosted by the Vietnamese General Department of Defense Industry and the military-run Telecommunications Group (Viettel). Major General Nguyen Manh Hung, Viettel’s General Director, and Major General Ngo Van Giao, Deputy Director of the General Department of Defense Industry, attended the conference. Many questions about the two countries’ businesses’ defense industry cooperation were answered at the conference, which provided opportunities for defense industry businesses of the two countries to share experiences in developing this sector in each country.
Bilateral meetings with commanders of the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy, and Indian T&G Group were successful.
Minister Ngo Xuan Lich thanked the Indian government, people, and military, especially Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar, for their warm and solemn receptions and also their timely assistance and support for the people and the Vietnam People’s Army at difficult times.
After the visit, relevant agencies of the two defense ministries will continue to implement necessary procedures to quickly realize the two defense ministers’ agreements.
Reported by Tran Tuan
Translated by Ngoc Hung