Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army Luong Cuong is on an official visit to India with the aim of enhancing defence ties between the two countries.

Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army Luong Cuong (L) and India's Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra

On November 13, Senior Lieutenant General Cuong paid a courtesy visit to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who appreciated Vietnam’s role and contributions to the region.

The Indian minister asked the two sides to continue promoting the outcomes of defence cooperation over the past years and step up the implementation of signed agreements, including the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-India Defence Relations for 2015-2020.

Cuong said that his visit is part of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10-year strategic partnership between Vietnam and India.

The Vietnamese Party, State and army always attach importance to the time-honoured friendship which have been nurtured by generations of leaders and peoples of the two countries, he affirmed.

He said he hopes that with its role, India continues contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and strengthening the region’s security mechanism.

Earlier the same day, Cuong held talks with Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra, during which they agreed that consolidating the two countries’ friendship and cooperation, including defence ties, is essential and suitable to their people’s interests and aspirations, contributing to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions.

They exchanged views on several regional and international issues of shared concern, while sharing experience in building the armed forces, and implementing policies for on-duty officers, invalids and sick soldiers.-VNA