Strong India, Vietnam defence cooperation will contribute to peace, security in region: Prez Kovind
New Delhi, Dec 19: The bilateral defence partnership between India and Vietnam has been growing steadily and the strong defence cooperation between the two countries will contribute to peace, security and prosperity in the region, President Ram Nath Kovind said to a visiting Parliamentary Delegation from Vietnam today.
The delegation, led by Vuong Dinh Hue, the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, called on President Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
Welcoming the delegation to India, the President said that India and Vietnam enjoy excellent relations at the leadership level in the contemporary time. Our people cherish the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and President Ho Chi Minh.
He said their bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership covers a wide range of areas – from political engagement to trade and investment ties, energy cooperation, development partnership, defence and security cooperation and people-to-people relations, said an official statement.
He noted that India and Vietnam have been working with ASEAN to contribute to a free, open, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region governed by international law.
Recalling his visit to Vietnam in 2018, the President said that he himself witnessed the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam and ancient civilizational exchanges between two countries, including our strong Buddhist connections.
He noted that economic engagement between India and Vietnam has maintained a positive direction, despite the disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also happy to note that defence partnership between India and Vietnam has been growing steadily. He said that strong defence cooperation between the two countries would contribute to peace, security and prosperity in the region.
Speaking about the cooperation between India and Vietnam at multilateral fora, the President said that our coordinated efforts at the UN and other fora have given voice to the majority of developing countries.
