Hanoi (VNA) – Ministerof National Defence, General Phan Van Giang and his visiting Indian counterpart RajnathSingh agreed on future cooperation orientations between the two ministriesduring their talks in Hanoi on June 8.

On the foundation ofthe Vietnam-India Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and People released in December 2020, the two sides concurred to strengthen collaborationto fully and effectively implement signed agreements, focusing on increasing contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high ones.

They will maintain andenhance the efficiency of dialogue and consultation mechanisms, especially thedefence policy consultation at the deputy defence minister level, while fosteringpartnership in personnel training and cooperation among armed forces as well ascoordination in participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Theyalso agreed to strengthen coordination and consultations at multilateralforums.

General Giangunderlined the significance of the visit as Vietnam and India are celebratingthe 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, expressinghis belief that it will contribute to promoting the friendship and comprehensivestrategic partnership between the two countries and the two ministries in particular.

He thanked the Indianside for supporting Vietnam, especially in personnel training and providingcredit packages and assistance to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence.

For his part, Singhaffirmed India considers Vietnam as a key partner in its Act East Policy,underlining that he hopes the comprehensive strategic partnership between thetwo countries will continue to thrive and expand to all fields such aspolitics, defence, security, trade, culture and people-to-people exchange.

Regarding regional andglobal issues of shared concern, both sides held that peace, cooperation and developmentremain the major trend in the world. However, they showed concern at thecomplicated developments in the world and regional political and securitysituation with both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, alongwith impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. Risks of instability are stilllatent in the security environment in the world and the Asia-Pacific region,they added.

The two sides shared their views on the significance of maintaining peace,stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea,as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in line withinternational law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS), along with the full and effective implementation of the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the reaching of an efficientand substantial Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is suitable tointernational law.

On the occasion,General Giang invited leaders of the Ministry of Defence of India and Indianmilitary industrial firms to attend the International Defence Exhibition thatis slated for late 2022.

Concluding the talks, the two ministers signed a statement on Vietnam-Indiadefence partnership joint vision towards 2030 and a memorandum of understandingon mutual support in logistics between the two ministries./.