Vietnam attaches much importance to its strategic partnership with India, supporting the country’s “Look East” policy and appreciating its proactive role in maintaining regional and global peace, stability and cooperation.  

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the meeting on July

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the affirmation during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on July 12, within the framework of his official visit to India from July 10-12. During the meeting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh applauded Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, reaffirming that India regards Vietnam as a key to its “Look East” policy as well as pledging to promote and expand its bilateral strategic partnership with Vietnam.

He expressed his agreement with the results of the 15th Vietnam-India Joint Commission meeting, requesting the two sides clarify key cooperation fields such as economics, security-defence, science-technology, culture and education.

Many Indian businesses wish to invest in Vietnam, the Prime Minister said, adding that the opening of a direct flight route between the two countries will further their culture, tourism and exchange cooperation.

Foreign Minister Minh passed on greetings from Vietnamese high-ranking leaders to the Indian leader and repeated the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, hoping that Manmohan Singh will soon visit Vietnam.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Foreign Minister delivered a speech on India-Vietnam relations and regional issues at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), which received the attention of various Indian scholars, researchers and the media.

Earlier, the 15th meeting of the Vietnam–India Joint Commission ended on July 11 with many important results reached. The two sides affirmed that they will strengthen their strategic partnership and diversify cooperation in the time to come.

VNA