India, Vietnam promise greater coordination at UN Security Council
Published: Dec 22, 2020
By TIOLCOPRLAWS News Service
NEW DELHI, DEC 22, 2020: INDIA and Vietnam signed seven pacts covering a various sectors, during their virtual summit on Monday, and agreed to strengthen their multilateral and regional cooperation in the UN Security Council and ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The virtual summit, between Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart, Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, also discussed the importance of the Southeast Asian nation in India's Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision.
"We see our relationship with Vietnam from a long-term and strategic view. Peace, stability and prosperity are our common objectives in the Indo-Pacific region. Our partnership can contribute significantly to maintain stability and peace in the region," Mr Modi said.
The leaders reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives, and adopted the 'Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People' document to guide the future development of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
They also welcomed the signing of a Plan of Action for period 2021-2023 to implement the joint vision, which was signed by the respective foreign ministers, Dr S Jaishankar and Mr Pham Binh Minh.
India handed over the first of 12 high-speed patrol boats to Vietnam under the $100 million Defence Line of Credit. Five of the boats will be manufactured in Chennai and the rest in Vietnam and are meant for Vietnamese Border Guard to enhance coastal security and prevent illegal activities.
Both sides also agreed to intensify their defence industry collaborations by signing the 'Implementing Arrangement on Defence Industry Cooperation' between their defence ministries.
The leaders acknowledged that India and Vietnam will be serving concurrently as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council from 2021, and said this opened new avenues to strengthen multilateral and regional cooperation.
