On the morning of June 19, at the headquarters of the Indian Ministry of Defense, Minister Rajnath Singh presided over a welcoming ceremony for Minister Phan Van Giang and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense. Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, the two sides held talks.

Minister Phan Van Giang at the official welcoming ceremony.

Minister Phan Van Giang reviews the honor guard at the official welcoming ceremony.

Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister Rajnath Singh.

Minister Phan Van Giang expressed his pleasure to meet again with Minister Rajnath Singh on the occasion of leading a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to pay an official visit to the Republic of India. Minister Phan Van Giang said that the talks were an opportunity for the two sides to discuss orientations to further develop bilateral defense cooperation, an important and strategic pillar of the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership, for the benefit of the people of each country, for peace and stability in the region and the world. On this occasion, Minister Phan Van Giang sent his condolences and deepest sympathies to the victims and relatives of those affected by the recent serious railway accident in the Indian state of Odisha.

Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister Rajnath Singh met before the talks.

Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister Rajnath Singh met before the talks.

Minister Rajnath Singh warmly welcomed Minister Phan Van Giang on his official visit to India, saying that the visit would contribute to strengthening the friendly relationship between the people and armies of the two countries. Minister Rajnath Singh affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner in India's Act East policy. The cooperation between the two countries is increasingly developing comprehensively in all fields from politics-diplomacy, economics-trade, defense-security, to culture, education-training and people-to-people exchange. The Indian Defense Minister emphasized that India wishes to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, including in the defense sector.

View of the meeting.

Regarding the relationship between the two countries, the two ministers agreed that Vietnam and India have a historical bond. India has always been a trusted and close friend of Vietnam. On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, Minister Phan Van Giang thanked the Government and people of India for their valuable support and assistance to the Vietnamese people in the past resistance war for independence and the current renovation process.

The two sides agreed that over the past time, the Vietnam-India defense cooperation relationship has been promoted and implemented in accordance with the frameworks, documents and signed cooperation agreements, achieving practical results in the following areas: delegation exchanges, especially high-level delegations; effective implementation of consultation and dialogue mechanisms; training cooperation; military and service cooperation; defense industry; United Nations peacekeeping; strategic research...

In the coming time, on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-India Defense Partnership to 2030, in line with the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the two sides agreed to focus on promoting cooperation in the following areas: Exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones, to enhance trust, understanding and cooperation between the two sides; maintain and promote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Deputy Minister-level defense policy dialogue and consultation of staff officers of the three services: navy, army and air force, exchange of young officers; cooperation in training, military cooperation, defense industry; United Nations peacekeeping..., and at the same time, research and promote cooperation in potential areas such as: cyber security, military medicine, search and rescue... in accordance with the needs and response capabilities of each side.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two sides assessed that India and Vietnam have fundamentally similar views on many regional and international issues, closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations and ASEAN mechanisms in which India is a participating partner such as the ASEAN-India Summit, the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), of which India is an active member.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides shared views on resolving disputes by peaceful means, respecting diplomatic and legal processes in accordance with the principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

NGOC HA (From New Delhi, India)