India and Vietnam looking to enhance linkages on strategic, security and defence matters

Participating in a delegation-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation in New Delhi on Monday, India and Vietnam reiterated their commitment to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Indian delegation was headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The Vietnamese side was led by Politburo Member of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Minister of Public Security General Ph. To Lam.

“The leaders reiterated the commitment on both sides to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and enhance the linkages on strategic, security and defence matters, contributing to maintaining peace, prosperity and stability of both countries, the region and the world at large,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

According to the MEA, they noted the discussions held during the Second India- Vietnam Deputy Ministerial Security Dialogue held in September 2022 in New Delhi. The two sides agreed to strengthen the ongoing cooperation in exchanges, capacity building and training of officials from the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam.

The leaders further reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific Region, the MEA said.

Both sides also emphasized the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reaffirmed their belief that any differences must be resolved peacefully by respecting international law, without resorting to threats, aggression or the unilateral or forceful change in the status quo. They also exchanged views on the recent developments in their respective regions.

The Vietnamese Minister of Public Security also made a call on Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. According to a tweet from the Vice-President’s official Twitter handle, they discussed the significance of strengthening the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the broad domain of security.