Viet Nam is an important partner in India’s “Look East” policy, affirmed the Chairwoman of Indian Lower House, Meira Kumar. The visiting guest made the affirmation during her talks with Vietnamese Party General Secretary and NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong on Monday.
Chairman Meira Kumar urged relevant agencies of the two countries to boost cooperation and work toward the establishment of language teaching and high-quality human resources training centers as well as an Indian culture exchange center in Viet Nam.
India will increase scholarships for Vietnamese students and design specific programs to expand cultural cooperation with Việt Nam, she said. Besides, she added that the early opening of a direct air route between Việt Nam and India would help boost the two sides’ economic, trade, investment and tourist linkages.
- Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng (R) and Chairwoman of Indian Lower House Meira Kumar, Hà Nội, May 16, 2011 – Photo: VNA
India and Vietnam raked in US $2.7 billion in two-way trade value last year, however, potentials in the field still remain vast, according to the Indian Chairwoman. On the occasion, she thanked Viet Nam for supporting India at regional and international forums as well as its cooperative ties with ASEAN.
Welcoming the visit made by the Indian Lower House Chairwoman, Party General Secretary and NA Chairman Trong asserted that India is one of Viet Nam’s top partners in its foreign policy.
He suggested both sides concretize cooperative programs for every single field and name their relevant agencies to undertake the implementation. During the talks, both sides discussed on a wide range of issues to further bilateral cooperation between the two legislative bodies and the two countries as well, the Vietnamese leader said at a press briefing held later on the day.
Chairman Meira Kumar arrived in Viet Nam on May 14 for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Party leader and NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.
By Hải Minh
(Theo www.nguyenphutrong.com)
