On the political front, senior leaders will deepen existing contacts between Parties, governments, legislatures, and localities via regular visits.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee plans to visit Viet Nam in the second half this year, during which a number of key cooperation agreements are expected to be signed, Vinh revealed.

Regarding defence-security, they will step up coordination in security, maritime safety and freedom, search-and-rescue operation, the fight against piracy, terrorism and trans-national crime while coping with non-traditional security issues such as climate change and environmental pollution.

Viet Nam and India are also looking to 7 billion USD in trade by 2015 and 15 billion USD by 2020 via projects covering education, infrastructure, oil and gas, energy, farming, textile, information technology and pharmaceuticals.

At the same time, two-way linkups in road, maritime and air transport will go stronger while joint work in science, biotechnology, remote sensing, nano technology and oceanography will be expanded.

Stronger ties will be targeted in culture and people-to-people exchange also, spanning across archaeology, tourism, sports, university education, and the establishment of local twin ties.

Both nations pledged to work closely together at regional and global forums, particularly within the ASEAN – India framework, the Asia – Europe Meeting, and the United Nations, among others.

Discussing regional and global issues of shared interest, Viet Nam and India consented to ensuring peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, as well as settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They committed to fully abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and working out the Code of Conduct in the East Sea soon.

On the occasion, the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies from the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and India’s Vivekananda International Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding, eyeing more studies on strategic issues.-VNA