Hanoi/New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) President Ram Nath Kovind said on Tuesday that as Comprehensive Strategic Partners, India and Vietnam have a strong bilateral relationship based on mutual trust, understanding, convergence of views on regional and international issues and strong cooperation in regional and multilateral fora.
'We have agreed to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation in defence, peaceful uses of atomic energy and outer space, science and technology, oil and gas, infrastructure development, agriculture and innovation-based sectors.
'We have signed three MoUs, namely in the fields of communications, education and trade and investment to take our bilateral agenda forward,' he said in a media statement issued in New Delhi.
The President, who is on a six-day visit to Vietnam and Australia from November 18 to 24 with an aim to strengthen ties with the Indo-Pacific nations, reached Vietnam's capital Hanoi in the first leg.
This will also be his first visit to South-East Asia and to the ASEAN region as the President.

'I began my official engagement in this historic city with my address to the National Assembly. I am truly and deeply honoured by this special gesture shown to me, my people and my country.

'My talks with President Phu Trong were extensive and productive. Our discussions covered the full range of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. We reiterated the importance of building a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region on the basis of respect for national sovereignty and international law,' he said.

Mr Kovind expressed India's commitment to further deepen their defence and security cooperation.
'I reiterated India’s commitment to provide training support for Vietnam Armed Forces. We also reviewed the implementation of the Line of Credit of USD 100 million for building high-speed patrol vessels for Vietnamese Border Guards,' he said.

The two nations condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestation and agreed to strengthen global fight against this menace, he said, adding that 'We expressed satisfaction that the two countries would soon begin dialogue on strengthening maritime security cooperation'.

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