The talks between Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Gen. Bipin Rawat, Chairman of India’s Chiefs of Staff Committee

The event was co-chaired by Sen. Lt. Gen. PhanVan Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and DeputyMinister of National Defence, and Gen. Bipin Rawat, Chairman of India’s Chiefsof Staff Committee.

The two sides noted with satisfaction that overthe past years, on the basis of the countries’ political trust andcomprehensive strategic partnership, cooperation between the two militarieshave continually been enhanced and reaped numerous important outcomes inmultiple fields, especially in personal training and United Nationspeacekeeping.

Giang, who is on an official visit to the SouthAsian nation, said the fierce strategic competition among big countries in theAsia-Pacific has many unpredictable factors that could lead to arms race andmilitary conflicts. Therefore, that some partners wish to take part in theASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) illustrates this mechanism’sincreasing effectiveness.

However, he noted, in the cooperation within theADMM and ADMM+, countries must respect the independence, sovereignty andautonomy of ASEAN nations; respect ASEAN’s centrality and contribute to thebloc’s unity; and be responsible for peace, stability, security and safety inthe region and the world.

With regard to the East Sea issue, Giang emphasisedthat Vietnam resolutely protects its legitimate sovereignty; consistentlyresolves disputes by peaceful means on the basis on international law,especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; pledges to seriouslyimplement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea; and haveworked towards the finalisation of an effective code of conduct in the waters.

Bilateral issues must be resolved bilaterallywhile multilateral ones must be handled by the parties concerned, he said,adding that Vietnam will maintain and promote relations with relevant countrieswhile avoiding collisions and conflicts so as to settle disputes step by step.

Vietnam strongly condemns and objects to allterrorist acts, and it supports cooperation among countries to eliminateinternational terrorism, he noted.

Echoing his guest’s opinions, Rawat concurredwith Vietnam in the settlement of international and regional issues. 

He affirmed that India always respects andsupports peace and prosperous development of all countries, and that it doesnot interfere in internal affairs of any nations.

At the talks, the two officials agreed toeffectively implement the joint vision statement for defence cooperation for2015-2020 and the agreements between leaders of the two defenceministries. 

Vietnam and India will bolster cooperationbetween their militaries’ ground forces while fostering ties in such fields asdefence industry, personnel training, and experience sharing in UN peacekeeping.They will also strengthen collaboration between agencies for strategic studies,as well as coordination at multilateral forums, according to the officials.

Also on November 25, Sen. Lt. Gen. Giang paid acourtesy call to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who said Vietnam is aleading partner in his country’s Act East Policy.

The meeting between Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Singh expressed his hope that the two sides willincrease mutual visits at all levels and in all the spheres both pay attentionto, thus matching the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

Giang emphasised that Vietnam highly values theenormous assistance the Indian Government, people and military have given to itin years, highlighting India’s support for Vietnam’s policy on the peacefulsettlement of the East Sea issue and for the candidacy for a non-permanent seatin the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

Vietnam believes that that bilateral friendshipand cooperation will develop more intensively, with the armies’ relations beinga pillar, for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in theregion and the world, he said.

Briefing his host about the successful talkswith the Chairman of India’s Chiefs of Staff Committee, Giang voiced his hopethat Minister Singh will create the best possible conditions and direct India’srelevant agencies to work closely with Vietnam to realise the agreedcooperation plans.

Following the meeting, the officials witnessedthe signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Defence StrategyInstitute and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies of India, and another betweenthe Military Technique Academy of Vietnam and the Defence Institute of AdvancedTechnology of India./.VNA