Developing Vietnam-India strategic partnership

The long-standing relationship between Vietnam and India has been consistently developed on the basis of mutual trust in politics and similarities in many aspects. The Vietnamese Party General Secretary's State visit to India was an important event for both countries.

The two leaders' consensus on consolidating, expanding and deepening the strategic partnership demonstrated the deep strategic vision which serves the interests and meets the expectations of the two peoples in the new era.

In the hospitable and beautiful country of India, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong followed a varied and practical agenda, which comprised talks and meetings with Indian senior leaders including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President and Senate Chairman Hamid Ansari, Speaker of the Lower House Meira Kumar, and leaders of Indian political parties. He also visited Mumbai, where he met leaders of Indian enterprises and attended the Indian Business Forum.

The talks, meetings and exchanges took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere, covering important issues of the bilateral relationship and regional and international issues of mutual concern. The Indian leaders and people gave the Vietnamese Party General Secretary and his entourage a hospitable and sincere reception, demonstrating the friendship and trust that exists between the two countries.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong commended socio-economic achievements of India, a strong country that is reaching for prosperity in the 21st century. He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to strengthening ties with India and supports India in its process of building a powerful, democratic and modern country with a fitting position in the region and the world.

During his talks with the Indian Prime Minister, the two leaders discussed major measures and orientations to deepen the strategic partnership in a more practical manner, along with regional and international issues of mutual concern. The two sides emphasised that the bilateral relationship, based on trust and mutual respect, was nurtured by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and generations of leaders and people of the two countries. This shared past has created the guiding principles for the two countries to develop their relations in the new era.

India views Vietnam as a pillar in its Look East policy, and Vietnam affirms its consistent policy that treasures the development of traditional friendship and strategic partnership with India. This is the basis for opportunities and favourable conditions to promote co-operative potential in all areas.

The two sides agreed on basic and detailed solutions to foster co-operation in five key areas of the bilateral strategic partnership to match the potential and fine political relations between the two countries.

Specifically, both sides agreed to reinforce political relations, considering it the main pillar and foundation of the strategic partnership. They also decided to enhance the economic partnership, another of the main pillars of the bilateral relations, setting a target of US$7 billion in annual two-way trade by 2015. The two sides emphasised the importance role of defence and security, and agreed to expand and improve the efficiency of culture, tourism, education and training and science and technology co-operation.

The two sides agreed to support each other and to work together closely at multilateral forums, particularly in the framework of ASEAN-India, the East Asia Summit, the World Trade Organisation, the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

The India side affirmed that it supports the stance of resolving disputes on the East Sea by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, in order to ensure maritime security, safety and freedom in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the visit, the two sides signed eight co-operation documents in the fields of trade, finance, energy, transport, education and training and people exchange.

Results achieved during the General Secretary's State visit to India have laid a firm foundation for consolidating and deepening the strategic partnership and have reaffirmed the determination of both sides to further develop the bilateral relations in all fields to meet the potential and expectations of the two peoples and for the interests of the two countries and for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)