President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse at the welcome ceremony in New Delhi (Photo: Nhan Sang/ VNA)

The leaders agreed to maintain regular exchange of visits at all levels of the political parties, Governments, legislative institutions and provinces/States and between the people of both countries. They also agreed to hold the next Joint Committee Meeting led by the foreign ministers of the two countries in 2018 in order to review the areas of cooperation and the implementation of the Action Plan of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period of 2017-2020.

Both sides agreed that defense and security cooperation is an important and effective pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and expressed satisfaction at the progress being made in this domain. The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.

The leaders agreed that enhancing strong trade and economic engagement is a strategic objective, a core element of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and are essential for strengthening bilateral ties. They requested the relevant ministries and agencies on both sides to explore substantive and practical measures to achieve the trade target of US$15 billion by 2020. Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation in culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange, widen and deepen cultural and historical ties by cooperating further in the areas of archaeology, conservation and museums to revive and reconnect the civilization and historic cultural heritage between the two countries. India highly appreciated Vietnam’s proposal to establish a Vietnam Cultural Centre in India.

Both sides agreed on the importance of stronger connectivity between Vietnam and India as well as between ASEAN and India. The Indian side urged Vietnam to utilize various initiatives of India for CLMV countries, including the 1 billion USD line of credit for physical and digital connectivity projects. They reiterated the importance of achieving a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

The two sides appreciated their coordination at regional and international fora and agreed to continue this tradition. Both sides reaffirmed their mutual support for each other’s candidatures as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council- Vietnam for the term 2020-2021, and India for the term 2021-2022. The Vietnamese side reiterated its consistent support for permanent membership of India in a reformed Security Council.

The two sides re-affirmed their determination and efforts to further cooperate in maintaining peace, stability and development in the Indo - Pacific region as well as in the world at large. They also reiterated the importance of, and the need for complete compliance with international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), including the implementation of international legal obligations in good faith, the maintenance of freedom of navigation and over-flight in the East Sea, full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force, and in accordance with international law. In this regard, both sides support the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and look forward to an early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea.