HÀ NỘI — The Party and State of Việt Nam will create optimal conditions for the Vietnamese and Indian defence ministries to co-operate closely, deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, said President Trần Đại Quang.

At a reception in Hà Nội on Wednesday for Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, President Quang urged leaders of the two ministries to instruct agencies to implement defence co-operation contents, including delegation exchange and collaboration in personnel training, defence industry, information-technology, strategic research and UN peacekeeping.

The partnership would help maintain peace and development in each country and the region, he said, asking the ministries to continue their consultation mechanisms at regional and international forums.

Noting with pleasure the enhancement of the Việt Nam-India partnership, President Quang stressed that Việt Nam backs the Indian Government’s ‘Act East’ policy.

The Vietnamese State, people and army appreciate the support from their Indian counterparts over the years, he said.

Recalling his visit to India in March, the President said the two sides reached many important common perceptions to reinforce their ties.

The leader believed that bilateral friendship will be consolidated thanks to the political resolve of senior leaders of the two countries along with mutual trust and will for co-operation and development.

In reply, Minister Sitharaman said that India treasures and wants to beef up its partnership with Việt Nam and the two nations still boast potential for stronger co-operation, especially in security-defence.

During talks with his counterpart the same day, Vietnamese Defence Minister General Ngô Xuân Lịch said the Indian Defence Minister’s visit would strengthen ties between Việt Nam and India and promote bilateral defence collaboration for the benefit of each country’s people and for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and world.

Reviewing bilateral defence partnership over the years, both sides reached consensus on measures to boost their ties.

They underscored the importance of maintaining existing co-operation mechanisms such as deputy ministerial-level defence policy dialogue, meetings of the Joint Working Group on bilateral defence co-operation and consultations between Vietnamese and Indian officers of naval, land and air forces.

Host and guest looked into the partnership between the two countries’ military forces, and co-operation in personnel training, defence industry, strategic research, post-war recovery and the UN peacekeeping.

They also discussed regional and global issues of shared concern. — VNS