Emphasising that the current geo-political realities call for closer cooperation between New Delhi and Hanoi
India, Vietnam Agree To Strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Emphasising that the current geo-political realities call for closer cooperation between New Delhi and Hanoi, PM Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh agreed to further strengthen the Vietnam – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in all areas. The two leaders also recognised convergence in their world view and expressed support for a greater voice and role for Global South in international affairs, a joint statement following Vietnam PM’s visit stated.
PM Modi and PM Chinh appreciated multi-dimensional institutional mechanisms between the two countries in the fields of foreign policy, security and maritime domain, defence cooperation, parliamentary exchanges, trade and investment, agriculture, healthcare, civil aviation, information and communication technology, science and technology including space and nuclear technology, tourism and culture.
They agreed to intensify and strengthen the bilateral dialogue in various domains, including the Joint Commission for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation for mutual benefit. They welcomed the signing of the Plan of Action for the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period of 2024-2028. The leaders agreed to further elevate trade from the present level of around USD 15 billion.
Taking a veiled dig at China by saying that both India and Vietnam oppose “expansionism” in the Indo-Pacific, PM Modi held talks with his visiting Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh and announced two credit lines totalling $300 million to bolster the maritime security of the south-east Asian nation. At a special briefing in the evening on the visit, ministry of external affairs secretary (east) Jaideep Mazumdar told reporters that the two credit lines, one of $ 180 million and the other of $ 120 million were for Coast Guard ships and fast-craft border patrol boats for Vietnamese forces.
Both leaders jointly inaugurated in virtual mode the Army Software Park at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang, Vietnam, that was described as a “beautiful symbol of defence ties”. The Army Software Park has been built with an Indian grant assistance of $ 5 million and has 17 classrooms and 200 computers with a data centre.
