(VOVWORLD) - President Tran Dai Quang met with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi on Saturday evening, as part of his three-day state visit to India.
 President Tran Dai Quang met with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi on March 3, 2018 (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA) |
President Kovind highlighted the visit by President Quang and his delegation as a contribution to strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. He praised Vietnam’s important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and affirmed that India supports ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architectures. President Kovind reaffirmed that India backs Vietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 term
The two State leaders also expressed their pleasure over the flourishing bilateral relations, especially in of politics, defense-security, economy-trade, science-technology and culture-education. They agreed to tap potential and cooperation opportunities in the areas of energy, infrastructure, information technology, and agriculture, and culture. Both sides agreed to continue supporting each other at regional and international forums.
After the reception, President hosted a banquet in honor of President Tran Dai Quang and his delegation.
 President Tran Dai Quang addressed the India-Vietnam Business Forum (Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV) |
On the same day, the Vietnamese President attended the India-Vietnam Business Forum in New Delhi. President Tran Dai Quang said India is one of Vietnam’s 10 largest trade partners and Vietnam is India’s 4th largest trade partner in ASEAN: “With the two countries' strong determination and their businesses’ dynamism, the goal of 15 billion USD two-way trade by 2020 will be achievable. We hope that India will become a leading material supplier of apparel, footwear and machinery building industries as well as make it easier for Vietnamese goods such as agri-products, seafood, timber products and footwear to penetrate into the market.”
Mr. Quang said he hoped Vietnamese and India entrepreneurs will continue playing a crucial role as a pioneering force in promoting the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in trade, investment and economy.
At the business forum, President Quang witnessed a ceremony to launch Vietjet Air’s direct air route between Vietnam and India. The first direct air route will connect Ho Chi Minh City with New Delhi with 4 flights a week.
In the afternoon, President Tran Dai Quang met with Speaker of the Lower House of India’s Parliament Sumitra Mahajan, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and former President of the Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. President Quang and his wife attended the opening ceremony of the Vietnamese culture days in India. The event is part of activities marking the 45th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
Earlier on Saturday, President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired a press conference on the outcomes of their talks. Mr. Modi said both sides discussed aspects of their comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to increase two-way trade. India and Vietnam will focus their cooperation on renewable energy, agriculture, garment-textile, oil and gas, security and defense.
For his part, Mr. Quang said both sides had open and candid talks on bilateral ties and global issues of mutual concerns: “Both sides will continue close coordination at multilateral forums, particularly at the UN. We affirm our strong support for India to strengthen multifaceted relations and connectivity with ASEAN. Both sides stress the importance of maintaining peace, stability and aviation and navigation freedom; settle disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and fully respect diplomatic and legal processes.”
President Quang said he believes that the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to flourish for the benefits of the two peoples and for peace, stability, and development.