India wants to increase defense cooperation with Vietnam

Speaking to the press on January 14, Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari affirmed that India wishes to further strengthen defense and security relations with Vietnam – an important element in India's "Look East" policy.

Vice President of India Hamid Ansari. (Source: thehindu.com)

According to a VNA correspondent in New Delhi, Vice President Ansari stated: "India and Vietnam have cooperated closely on defense and security. India will provide all possible assistance, such as building high-tech capacity and other programs... The friendly relationship with Vietnam is a relationship that predates the independence period, and India considers Vietnam an important part of its "Look East" policy."

Mr. Ansari said the two countries have set a target of increasing trade turnover to 7 billion USD by 2015, but so far it has only reached about 4 billion USD.

The Vice President said that India and Vietnam need to continue exchanging visits and strengthening cooperation./.

According to (TTXVN) - LT