National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and Lower House Speaker Meira Kumar agreed to increase all-round cooperation between the two countries during their talks in New Delhi on February 24.

Mr Trong, who began an official visit to India on February 23, highlighted the strong development of the long-standing relationship between Vietnam and India, which was founded and nurtured by late President Ho Chi Minh and late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

He thanked the Indian people for providing heart-felt support and valuable assistance to Vietnam in its past struggle for national independence and unification, as well as in the current process of Doi Moi (Renewal) and international integration.

The Vietnam National Assembly supports the two governments’ decision to establish their strategic partnership during a visit to India in July 2007 by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, paving the way for expanding bilateral cooperation in various areas, said Mr Trong.

He confirmed that Vietnam wants to cooperate with India in security and national defence, and proposed that the two countries quickly implement their cooperation documents, including a memorandum of understanding on national defence and an agreement on legal aid in criminal matters.

As the two countries have great potential for cooperation in economics and trade, he said the Vietnam National Assembly will create a favourable legal corridor for Indian businesses to invest in Vietnam so as to surpass the US$2.5 billion trade mark obtained in 2008. He proposed that the Indian parliament support Vietnamese businesses in exploring opportunities in the South Asian nation.

He also recommended that the two legislative bodies host joint workshops on legislation and other issues to share experience, and work closer together in international forums such as the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Lower House Speaker Meira Kumar recalled recent visits by the two countries’ top leaders, which she said show their determination to strengthen bilateral strategic partnership. She echoed Mr Trong saying both legislative bodies should increase exchange visits to share information and experience in legislation.

The Indian parliament is ready to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to seek cooperation opportunities and expand operations, said Ms Kumar.

She praised Vietnam’s Renewal achievements and expressed her belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnam will reap more success in its development.

Mr Trong invited Ms Kumar to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

Earlier, Mr Trong met with Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, who is also chairman of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. He confirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership with India.

The Vietnamese legislator noted that despite the global financial and economic turmoil, two-way trade reached US$2.5 billion in 2008, US$2 billion in 2009 and is expected to beat the US$2 billion target set for 2010. He also hoped that bilateral trade would hit US$5 billion in the coming years after India and ASEAN recently signed the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods (AITIG) agreement.

 

He asked India to promote cooperation with Vietnam in oil & gas exploration at sea, sea management, natural disaster mitigation, marine safety, scientific research and the protection of marine resources.

Mr Trong told his host that 2010 is a special year for Vietnam as it chairs ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). As ASEAN and AIPA chair, he said, Vietnam is willing to help India expand cooperation with other ASEAN countries and AIPA.

The two legislative bodies should work closely to oversee their governments in implementing their signed agreements to make them more practical, said Mr Trong.

Vice President Ansari described Mr Trong’s visit as a landmark in bilateral relations, especially after the two countries agreed to establish the strategic partnership. He welcomed Mr Trong’s proposal to increase the exchange of legislative visits to share information and experience. 

He accepted Mr Trong’s invitation to visit Vietnam and hoped to receive his close Vietnamese friends in Hanoi.

The same day, Mr Trong met with Yashwant Sinha, chairman of the House Committee for External Affairs, laid a wreath at the Mahatma Ghandi Monument and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in India.

VietNamNet/VOV