Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R). (Photo: VNA)

(VOVworld) - Vietnam and India signed a joint statement on bilateral defense relations for the 2015-2020 period, following talks between Minister of National Defense Phung Quang Thanh and his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi on Monday. The two ministers also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on coordination between the Vietnamese marine police and the Indian coastguards in preventing transnational crime.

During their talks, held during Minister Phung Quang Thanh’s visit to India, the two ministers agreed that defense cooperation continues to be one of the key pillars in the strategic partnership between Vietnam and India. They reviewed the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on national defense cooperation, which was signed between the two countries in 2009 and covers delegation exchanges and the sharing of military experience. The two sides agreed to maintain all-level delegation exchanges and improve the efficiency of existing dialogue and consultation mechanisms, as well as share know-how in coping with non-traditional security challenges; increase training and defense industry cooperation; and collaborate in UN peacekeeping activities.

Earlier, Minister Thanh met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said his country always places great importance on maintaining and developing its traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam. PM Modi noted that India considers Vietnam one of the leading partners in India’s Look East policy, and will bolster cooperation with the Southeast Asian country across five areas, including national defense.

During his working trip to India from May 23 to 26 at the invitation of Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister Phung Quang Thanh held talks with a number of Indian key military officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Robin.K Dhowan. He also laid wreaths at India’s National War Memorial at the Indian Gate and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in India.