Vietnam, India strengthen defense cooperation

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang shared losses the Indian people have suffered during the recent resurgence of the coronavirus and expressed his belief India would soon overcome this difficult period. He also emphasized that the Government and agencies of Vietnam, including the military force, will work hard to successfully control the COVID-19 pandemic, restore production, and ensure the safety for local people and foreign citizens.

During the talks, both ministers pointed to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the cooperation plan between the two defense ministries since its emergence in 2020.

However, they said the two sides have found suitable forms of cooperation, including the transfer of aid and credit packages from the Indian Government to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, training cooperation, cooperation between their military forces, as well as in supporting each other in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Such forms of cooperation have brought about practical results, the two ministers noted.

The two ministers agreed to increase visit exchanges and contacts to fully implement the established cooperation mechanisms and signed agreements, with a primary focus on training, deployment of credit packages, and cooperation in military services and the defense industry.

Both sides agreed to share experience in implementing UN peace keeping missions and in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, while working closely together to handle common regional security issues at multilateral forums.

Vietnam supports India’s Look East policy as well as its stronger cooperation in ASEAN’s common affairs, contributing to maintaining security, peace, stability and development in the region and the rest of the world on the basis of respecting international law, said Minister Giang.