New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his talks with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh were very productive, and the two sides reviewed their ties and discussed sectors like defence, maritime trade, green economy and MSME where they see immense scope for closer relations.
In a post on X, PM Modi said:
“Earlier today, held very productive talks with PM Phạm Minh Chinh of Vietnam. India cherishes the strong friendship with Vietnam.
“Over the years, we have deepened cooperation in trade, energy, technology, security, connectivity and more. Cultural and people-to-people linkages have also become stronger.
“In our talks today, we took stock of the ground covered in the last few years and also discussed sectors like defence, maritime trade, green economy, MSME where we see immense scope of closer relations.”
India and Vietnam inked nine agreements in the field of agriculture, capacity building, legal, media, medicine and conservation and restoration of shared heritage.
The two PMs also virtually inaugurated an Army Software Park at Telecommunications University, Nha Trang, Vietnam, built with Indian assistance.
PM Modi in his address following the bilateral talks once again conveyed condolences to the people of Vietnam over the passing of senior Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong. “He was a good friend of India. Under his leadership too, India and Vietnam relations got a strategic direction,” PM Modi said.
He said during their discussions today the two sides comprehensively discussed all areas of mutual cooperation and have taken several steps towards planning the future.
“We believe that due to ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and ‘Vision 2045’ of Vietnam, development has gained momentum in both the countries, which is opening up many new areas of mutual cooperation.”
“To further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, today we have adopted a new Plan of Action,” PM Modi said, adding that they have taken new steps for cooperation in the field of Defence and Security.
He said the agreement on a USD300 million credit line will strengthen Vietnam’s maritime security.
“We have also decided to emphasize cooperation on the issues of terrorism and cyber security.”
PM Modi also said that in order to realize the potential of mutual trade, the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement needs to be concluded as soon as possible.
Both sides have also reached an agreement between their central banks for Digital payment connectivity.
“We have decided that the focus will be on the areas of Green Economy and new emerging technology. Capabilities of both the nations in Energy and Port development sector will be harnessed for mutual benefit. Work will also be done to connect the private sector, small and medium enterprises and start-ups of both the countries,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi said that agriculture and Fisheries are an important part of the economy of both countries and are directly related to people’s livelihood and food security.
“We have decided that germplasm exchange and joint research will be promoted in these areas. To conserve our shared cultural heritage, India will cooperate in the conservation of the temples of “Block F” of the UNESCO World Heritage Site My Son.
With Buddhism being the common heritage of both nations, PM Modi invited Vietnamese people to the Buddhist circuit in India.
He also urged the youth of Vietnam to take advantage of the Nalanda University.
PM Modi said that in India’s Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision, Vietnam is an important partner and both share unison in their views regarding the Indo-Pacific region. “We support evolution, not expansionism,” PM Modi said, adding that both sides will continue their cooperation for a free, open, rules-based and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
PM Chinh, in his address, stated that he had held open and practical talks with PM Modi, which resulted in many common perceptions and important results, affirming that the two sides shared a strategic vision on today’s world.
Chinh said that both sides have committed to finding breakthroughs to elevate the bilateral relations to a new level.
PM Chinh said the two sides agreed to further deepen regional and international cooperation; continue to coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN, and ASEAN-led mechanisms; promote peaceful dialogue and build trust among nations; enhance ASEAN’s central role; and advance Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms.
He said they reaffirmed the importance of ensuring a peaceful, stable, secure environment, and safe and freedom navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and resolving disputes by peaceful measures based on respect for international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also agreed to exchange information, enhance cooperation, and work together to develop the East Sea (known as South China Sea) into a sea of peace, stability, friendship, cooperation and development.
The outcomes of the visit, include:
*Plan of Action for the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 2024-2028 period between the Republic of India and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
*MoU for cooperation in Customs Capacity Building between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of India and the General Department of Viet Nam Customs, Viet Nam.
*MoU between Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur and Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hanoi, Viet Nam for cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education.
*MoU between Ministry of Justice of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Law and Justice of the Republic of India on cooperation in the legal field.
*MoU between Prasar Bharati, New Delhi, India and the Voice of Viet Nam (VoV), Hanoi, Viet Nam for cooperation on Radio and Television.
*Two Dollar Credit Line Agreements between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam represented by the Ministry of Finance and Export-Import Bank of India, amounting to USD 300 mn.
*Letter of Intent between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for the conservation and restoration of F Block in My Son, Quang Nam Province, Viet Nam.
*MoU between the Traditional Medicine Administration Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush of Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the Field of Medicinal Plants.
*MoU between the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways of the Republic of India on Cooperation and Development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
The Announcements include:
* Virtual Inauguration of Army Software Park at Telecommunications University Nha Trang, Viet Nam.
*Vietnam to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Later, the Vietnamese PM called on President Droupadi Murmu during which the President said that Vietnam is a crucial pillar of India’s Act East Policy, and an important partner for our Indo-Pacific Vision. “Our relations are built on the firm foundation of close cultural, historical and civilizational links, and are marked by mutual trust and understanding,” President Murmu said.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Chinh also called on Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar during which “the two leaders reflected on the diverse aspects of India-Vietnam bilateral relations, with focus on strengthening economic cooperation and people to people ties between the two nations”.
