HANOI, Aug 27 — The newly-elected Indian Government continues to regard Vietnam as a pillar in its Look East policy, said Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Monday, during her visit here, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported here Tuesday.
Minh affirmed that Vietnam has always treasured its long-standing friendship and strategic partnership with India and supports the country’s Look East policy and stronger ties with Southeast Asia. He said Vietnam welcomed Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s upcoming visit to Vietnam.
Both sides expressed their pleasure with the enhanced bilateral relations, particularly in the pillars of their strategic partnership, including politics, economy, defence, security, science and technology, culture and education.
They also highlighted the need to continue improving economic ties in an effort to raise two-way trade to US$7 billion by 2015 and US$15 billion by 2020 as agreed by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders.
During their talks, the ministers exchanged views on global issues of mutual concern, promising reciprocal support in regional and international forums, such as those between Asean and India, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the United Nations.
They also touched upon recent developments in the East Sea and agreed on the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, and safety of navigation in these waters.
– BERNAMA
