India and Vietnam pledge deeper military and strategic engagement amid growing regional challenges…reports Asian Lite News
India and Vietnam on Wednesday sought to inject fresh momentum into their growing defence partnership as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Phan Van Giang in New Delhi.
The discussions focussed on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries amid evolving regional and global security challenges.
“Had an excellent meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Vietnam Gen Phan Van Giang in New Delhi. India cherishes the long standing ties with Vietnam. Our talks focussed on adding more vigour to the defence cooperation between India and Vietnam. The recent developments reflect the positive momentum in our engagement. Looking forward to further deepen our strategic partnership,” Singh posted on X after the meeting.
The defence level engagement came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide ranging talks with Vietnamese President To Lam at Hyderabad House, covering areas such as defence and security, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, science and technology, renewable energy, critical and rare earth minerals, space cooperation and cultural ties.
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set an ambitious target of expanding bilateral trade to USD 25 billion by 2030.
Vietnam also joined the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), signalling closer maritime cooperation between the two nations in the strategically important Indo Pacific region.
Prime Minister Modi also announced India’s assistance in establishing a Site Interpretation Centre at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son Temple Complex in Vietnam. Both sides further agreed to grant market access for Indian grapes and Vietnamese durians.
“PM Narendra Modi held wide ranging discussions with General Secretary, President Mr To Lam of Vietnam at Hyderabad House. The discussions focussed on the areas of defence and security, trade and investment, science and technology, development partnership, maritime cooperation, critical and rare earth minerals, space, renewable energy including atomic energy, culture and people to people linkages. They also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
Jaiswal said Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to Vietnam for strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and for supporting India in its fight against terrorism.
“The substantive discussions today underscored the commitment of both sides to further strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the region,” he added.
President To Lam is on a three day State Visit to India, his first since assuming office last month.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Vietnam share deep historical and civilisational ties that have steadily strengthened over the years. The visit also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016.
The MEA said the high level engagement was expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral relations and open new avenues for cooperation across sectors.
