Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung and Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Preeti Saran co-chaired the 9th political consultation and the 6th strategic dialogue between Vietnam and India (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

The two sides discussed measures to promote cooperation in major fields. They agreed to raise two-way trade to 15 billion USD by 2020, strengthen investment promotion, and encourage the opening of direct air routes between the major cities of the two countries.

Mr. Saran said India affirms its support for Vietnam in improving its defense capacity, teaching English to soldiers, transferring defense technologies, and providing defense credit. He called on both sides to strengthen cooperation in cyber security, maritime security, fighting terrorism, trans-national crimes, and human trafficking.

The two sides agreed to work closely with each other and other countries in the region to optimize opportunities and minimize risks to ensure a strategic security environment and cope with traditional and non-traditional security challenges. They stressed that peace, stability, and maritime and aviation security benefit all countries in the region and called for dealing with disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception for Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Preeti Saran.