Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Vietnam as an “important partner” in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision during his meeting with Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh at Hyderabad House in Delhi.
In a joint statement with the Vietnamese leader, PM Modi underscored that both nations support “evolution and not expansionism,” reaffirming their commitment to a “free, open, rules-based, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Highlighting the deepening relationship between India and Vietnam over the past decade, PM Modi said, “In the past decade, our relations have expanded and deepened. We have elevated our ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Our bilateral trade has increased by 85 percent. Cooperation has flourished in areas such as energy, technology, and development partnerships. Defence and security have taken a new direction. Additionally, our connectivity has increased, with over 50 direct flights now operating between our countries.”
Regarding his discussions with Pham Minh Chinh, PM Modi said that they reviewed all areas of cooperation and devised a roadmap for future collaboration. He said that development efforts in both countries have gained momentum due to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and Vietnam’s 2045 vision.
“We have made a new Plan of Action to further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. New steps have been taken for cooperation in the field of defence and security,” PM Modi said.
He also announced that India and Vietnam have agreed to expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement to boost mutual trade. PM Modi highlighted a $300 million credit line to enhance Vietnam’s maritime security and emphasized increased cooperation on terrorism and cyber security.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal were present at the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a three-day visit to India, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
(With ANI input)