India, Vietnam to strengthen co-op in defence and security, atomic energy

India and Vietnam agreed to further strengthen cooperation in defence and security, peaceful uses of atomic energy and outer space, oil and gas and renewable energy as Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Sunday concluded his four-day visit to the Southeast Asian country.

During his visit, Vice President Naidu held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairperson of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

"Vice President's talks with his Vietnamese interlocutors were extensive and productive and covered whole range of bilateral and multilateral cooperation," said a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in defence and security, peaceful uses of atomic energy and outer space, oil and gas, renewable energy, agriculture and innovation-based sectors, it said.

Vietnam is an important trade partner of India and their bilateral trade stood at nearly USD 14 billion last year having nearly doubled from USD 7.8 billion three years ago.

Vice President Naidu and Prime Minister Phuc expressed commitment to enhancing trade and investments and agreed to facilitate direct air connectivity to promote tourism, trade and people-to-people relations.

Both sides reiterated the importance of building a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region on the basis of respect for national sovereignty and international law, and expressed full commitment to an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture based on freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded economic activities and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, the statement said.

Vietnam's leaders appreciated India's long-standing development partnership engagement, especially scholarships and training programmes. They also thanked India for extending concessional Lines of Credit for defence industry cooperation and implementing other socio-cultural infrastructure projects in Vietnam under Indian grants-in-aid.

Naidu also invited Vice President Thinh to undertake a visit to India.

"Vice President Naidu's visit has imparted momentum to the bilateral relationship and provided an opportunity to review various areas of collaboration and cooperation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with Vietnam's leadership," the statement said.

Naidu also delivered a keynote address at the 16th UN Day of Vesak at the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Hanam Province in Vietnam.

Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is traditionally observed by Buddhists as 'Buddha's Birthday'.

He also paid respects at the Monument of National Heroes and Martyrs and at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at Hanoi.