President Sang affirmed this at a meeting with his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil In New Dehli on October 12.

Mr Sang proposed the Indian Government increase its assistance to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV), speed up development projects in the sub-region and boost the Ganga-Mekong sub-regional cooperation.

President Patil highlighted President Sang’s first-ever visit, saying it is a vivid symbol of the traditional relations between India and Vietnam.

Ms Patil expressed her joy at fast developments of Vietnam’s renewal process, which brings about prosperity to the Vietnamese people, and hoped that Vietnam will continue cooperating and assisting India in boosting relations with ASEAN.

The two leaders agreed on efforts to develop the strategic partnership for mutual benefits and for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world.

Earlier, Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna paid a courtesy visit to President Sang, who expressed his delight at the outcomes of the fifth political consultation meeting, the second strategic dialogue and the 14th Joint Commission recently held by the two foreign ministries in Hanoi.

The Indian FM said he believes the visit will lay a firm foundation for promoting the two countries’ cooperation and bringing the strategic partnership to a new height.

Two foreign ministries will further increase the exchange of experiences in settling important issues relating to regional and international situation through visits and cooperative mechanisms, he said.