New Delhi (VNA) – Multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and India will provide a foundation for the countr𒀰ies to augment their ties, Vietnamese Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh has said.

He was speaking to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi on August 10, noting that the two nations have sound and long-standing relations, with mutual trust and common interests. They also have good cooperation mechanisms and share similar viewpoints on regional and international affairs. Their defence and security collaboration is strong, as is information exchange, personnel training and facility equipment, he said. The diplomat highlighted thriving economic connections with two-way trade increasing more than fivefold over the last decade to 5.5 billion USD in 2015. India’s investment in Vietnam is expected to shoot up in the next few years with major groups like Larsen & Toubro, Birla, Adani, Shapoorji, Escorts and Eicher seeking opportunities in Vietnam. Bilateral partnerships in science-technology, especially in training, equipment purchase and joint research, along with culture and education have also been reinforced, Thanh said. He added that while Vietnam has become a dynamic economy after 30 years of extensive reforms, India has enjoyed the fastest economic growth in the world. India’s joining of free trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the India – EU free trade agreement will open up numerous opportunities for the country’s export and economic growth. All of them will substantially benefit Vietnam and India as well as bilateral ties, Thanh added. Regarding the East Sea issue, the ambassador reiterated Vietnam’s support for stronger cooperation among countries bordering the East Sea, along with the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and without use or threat to use force.-VNA