Vietnam backs India’s Act East policy and comprehensive connectivitywith Southeast Asia, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong toldSpeaker of the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha) of India SumitraMahajan in Hanoi on March 30.

The Party leaderthanked Mahajan and her delegation for contributing constructive ideasto the ongoing 132 nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Hanoi,adding that her visit would boost the traditional friendship andcomprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

He suggested continuing to utilise existing cooperative mechanisms, realise commitments and deepen bilateral ties.

Mahajan noted that Vietnam is a strategic partner of India in theASEAN and the broader region and that the country plays a key role inIndia’s “Look East” policy, now known as the “Act East” policy.

She suggested determination and cooperative potential would furthersolidify the traditional friendship and coordination between the twocountries.

Receiving Mahajan the same day, PrimeMinister Nguyen Tan Dung said the Vietnamese government urges the Indianlegislature to back stronger partnerships across economics, trade,investment, tourism, science-technology, education-training, nationaldefence-security, people-to-people exchange, and multilateral forumcooperation.

The government supports the strengthening of ties between Vietnamese and Indian legislatures, he said.

The guest confirmed that Vietnam and India are able to work together in a variety of areas without obstacles.

The upcoming Vietnam visit by Indian Speaker of the Parliament andDefence Minister and the launch of direct flight services will mark anew milestone in the bilateral relationship, she said.