President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma at their meeting. (Photo: VNA)   

NDO/VNA – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 6 received Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma, with their discussion focusing on the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

At the reception, President Phuc thanked the Indian Government for supporting Vietnam with oxygen generators and medical devices. He asked the ambassador to urge the Indian Government to give Vietnam an emergency loan of 10 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the near future along with further provision of COVID-19 treatment drugs, equipment, and supplies.

He asked the diplomat to pay attention to boosting the nations’ cooperation, particularly in maintaining and increasing all-level interactions and people-to-people exchange and promoting the implementation of their existing collaboration mechanisms such as the Vietnam – India Joint Commission on Economic, Commercial, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and face-to-face/virtual political consultation.

Vietnam and India need to work together in organising meaningful activities to mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and in boosting the realisation of a Plan of Action for their comprehensive strategic partnership in the 2021-2023 period, Phuc added.

The President also suggested promoting cooperation in defence-security, cyber security, intelligence information exchange, fight against terrorism and transnational crime, non-traditional security issues, and legal assistance in the civil field.

Regarding economic and trade engagement, Phuc asked the Indian Government to open its market for Vietnamese goods, particularly farm produce like longan, rambutan and durian.

"Vietnam always welcomes Indian firms to increase their investment in the nation, especially in processing and manufacturing, auto support industry, IT and communications, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, and innovation," he said.

He also recommended the sides prepare plans for stepping up people-to-people exchange and cooperation in culture and tourism post pandemic, and soon resume direct flights between their major cities when possible.

The leader underscored that Vietnam highly values India’s important role and voice, particularly regarding the East Sea issue. He said he hopes that the nations will further coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially in ASEAN and the UN.

For his part, the Indian diplomat proposed the Vietnamese Government continue creating favourable conditions for oil and gas firms of both sides to extend their cooperation programmes.

He vowed to assist Vietnam in preserving the My Son World Cultural Heritage, which can be done in the beginning of 2022.

On the occasion, President Phuc sent an invitation, via the ambassador, to the Indian President and Prime Minister to visit Vietnam in an appropriate time.