PM Dung meets with Indian counterpart

At his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on December 21, the two PMs discussed measures to boost cooperation between the two countries.

They agreed to increase the exchange of high-ranking delegations, maintain existing cooperation mechanisms, promptly establish the trade inter-committee and an education and training joint working group, and implement signed agreements to raise bilateral trade to US$7 billion in 2015.

They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in information technology, biology, aerospace, nanotechnology, oceanography and Indian studies.

The two sides pledged to cooperate closely at regional and international forums. They affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, settling disputes through peaceful means, abiding by international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and looking forwards to building the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

They spoke highly of the close cooperation between their agencies in organising activities to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties and the Vietnam-India 2012 Friendship Year.

The leaders expressed their pleasure at the developing strategic partnership between the two countries and vowed to continue cooperation in all fields, including politics, economics, national defence and security, science and technology, culture, and education and training.

Dung congratulated India on its successful organisation of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, describing it a milestone in the history of the friendship and strategic cooperation between India and ASEAN, and with Vietnam in particular.

Singh spoke highly of Vietnam’s active participation in the event and stated that Vietnam is one of India’s most important partners in its “Look East” policy.

Dung and his entourage left New Delhi for Vietnam the same day.