The four-day visit is aimed at promoting cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by India and Vietnam in 2007.

At the reception, Mr. Antony praised the close relationship established by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He also expressed satisfaction with the growth of cooperation in national defense and pledged India’s effort to increase it.

General Thanh expressed his thanks for Indian army support to Vietnam and his hope that cooperative relations will continue to develop. He hoped to have India’s assistance in training military officers.

After the meeting, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding for defense cooperation.

On the same day, General Thanh met with India’s Minister of External Affairs S.M Krishna, discussed cooperation efforts with three Indian commanders, laid a wreath to honour anonymous martyrs at the India Gate, visited spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat memorial, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in India.