Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Saturday held a bilateral meeting and managed to take 12 decisions across a range of sectors — from health to defence and space — in the delegate-level talks in Hanoi. With this, India went a level up in its ties with Vietnam, from a "Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."
As part of the decisions, India extended a line of credit of $500 million in the defence sector "for facilitating deeper defence cooperation." India will also offer a grant of $5 million for a software park to be established in the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang, Modi said in a joint address after the meeting.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said of Modi's visit to Vietnam and the deals signed: "I look at this visit as setting a new benchmark for India-Vietnam ties, which will take our relationship to a whole new level."
Modi, at the aforementioned press conference, said about the delegate-level talks: "Our discussions covered the full range of bilateral and multilateral co-operation." He added: "Our decision to upgrade our Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership captures the intent and path of our cooperation."
Modi also said: "Vietnam is undergoing rapid development and strong economic growth. We agreed to tap into growing opportunities in the region. We also recognised the need to cooperate in responding to emerging regional challenges."
He added: "The Vietnamese prime minister and I have agreed to deepen our defence and security engagements to advance our common interests." Then, addressing Nguyen Xuan Phuc, he said: "It will be my pleasure to host you and the leadership of Vietnam in India."
Modi had earlier in the day been invited to visit the presidential palace, where they fed the fish at a special pond in the premises of the complex. This was the palace Ho Chi Minh called home. Speaking abotu him, Modi said: "Ho Chi Minh was one of the tallest leaders of the 20th century. Visiting his house was a pilgrimage. Thanks for extending me the privelege."
