State President embarks on official visits India, Sri Lanka

State President Trương Tấn Sang

This is the first visit of newly-elected State President Trương Tấn Sang to non-ASEAN countries.

The delegation includes Deputy PM Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Minister of Finance Vương Đình Huệ, Deputy Minister of National Defense Nguyễn Chí Vịnh, Deputy Minister of Public Security Lê Quý Vương, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Lê Dương Quang, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huỳnh Vĩnh Ái, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bùi Bá Bổng, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nguyễn Văn Lạng.

Since the strategic partnership was established during PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng’s visit to India in July 2007, the bilateral multifaceted cooperation has been promoted in a more effective and practical manner.

Việt Nam and India have agreed to increase bilateral trade to US $7 billion by 2015. Two-way trade between the two countries reached over US $2.7 billion last year and US $1.8 billion in the first half of 2011.

The two sides have also signed a tourism cooperation agreement and are working for the opening of a direct air route between Việt Nam and India.

At the 14th session of the Việt Nam-India Joint Committee in September, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in oil and gas exploration, agriculture, aquaculture, information technology, education and training and healthcare.

Multilaterally, India supported Việt Nam’s non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2008-2009 term. Việt Nam also backs India to increase relations with ASEAN countries, join cooperation in the East Asian community and bid for a permanent seat in an expanded UNSC.

By Kim Loan