(VOVworld) - Minister of Defense Ngo Xuan Lich and his visiting Indian counterpart Manohar Parrika agreed to deepen bilateral defense ties at their talks in Hanoi on Sunday.

Minister of Defence Ngo Xuan Lich (R) welcomes visiting Indian counterpart Manohar Parrika (Photo: VNA)

Manohar Parrika is paying an official visit to Vietnam, his first as Defense Minister, from June 5-8. The two ministers shared the view that cooperation should focus on delegation exchanges and personnel training, and be in accordance with the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-India Defense Cooperation for the 2015-2020 period. The Indian minister confirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of India in the region and his country wants to develop friendship and cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation in the interest of both nations. Minister Lich said India is a close friend and key partner of Vietnam, adding that Vietnam gives priority to strengthening the comprehensive rapport with India.