Indian FM pushes for closer ties with Vietnam

Hanoi, August 26 (VNA) – The Indian government values the cooperation with Vietnam as the country gains in significance in the global arena, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj told Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Hanoi on August 25. Swaraj conveyed Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s invitation to PM Dung to visit India early October to further discuss potential bilateral orientations. She added that the visits of the Indian President and PM Dung over the next two months bear witness to the growing level of collaboration between the two countries. As both countries face similar prospects in the future, the FM suggested stronger cooperation on all fronts. India appreciates Vietnam’s security and national defence capabilities and expects to become its partner in this regard, she said. Regarding the economy, the FM aspires to double or triple trade between the two countries, conclude the negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, and launch a direct air route in the near future. She revealed that Indian firms have an interest in investing in infrastructure and signing deals with Vietnamese producers of corn and rice, as well as pangasius farming enterprises. Furthermore, the FM proposed that the two countries should promote youth and cultural exchanges to increase mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and India. Turning her attention to the issue of the East Sea, Swaraj reported that at the recent ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Myanmar, India took a stance opposing the use and threat to use force in international disputes while supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. PM Dung, on his part, highlighted Vietnam’s consistent policy of doing its utmost, together with India, to nurture their on-going friendship for the sake of their people. Agreeing with Swaraj’s proposals, he confirmed that Vietnam intends to further develop its collaboration with India in all areas. The host said he looks forward to welcoming the Indian President to Vietnam next month, and thanked his counterpart Modi for the invitation to visit India, concluding that their reciprocal visits would take their strategic partnership to a higher level. Vietnam supports India’s Look East policy and its growing ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Dung confirmed.-VNA