The Prime Minister said “growing forces of violence and terror pose a fundamental challenge” and urged the worldwide community to act in unity and respond against terrorism. Speaking at a joint press conference in the Vietnamese capital, the visiting PM said that India has always considered Vietnam as a comprehensive strategic partner. Prime Minister Modi will return to India on September 5.
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He also said that as Asean country coordinator for India during 2016-18, Vietnam can take forward the relations even further.
India’s message to China in recent meetings was that Beijing could not delink bilateral ties from its positions that often oppose India in worldwide fora such as the NSG, where China has sought to delay India’s entry.
In July, an global arbitration tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over the South China Sea.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup also tweeted about the Prime Minister’s arrival in China, saying: “Morning in Hanoi, night in Hangzhou”.
With India signing an agreement with Vietnam on cooperation in exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes earlier in the day, Modi explained the benefits of space technology for the common man.
It was unclear whether the latest loan included the US$100 million that India had previously made available to Vietnam for four yet-to-be-built patrol vessels in a deal agreed in late 2014.
India and Vietnam share borders and large trade volumes with China.
Modi also reaffirmed India’s significant interest in promoting defence industry cooperation between the two sides and committed to provide a new Line of Credit for Vietnam in this area.
The Prime Minister also highlighted how United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development could be an enabler to transform societies and bridge deep inequalities that are creeping in.
He added, “Global trading regime must respond to needs and priorities of developing nations”.
On Saturday, Modi will meet with the top Vietnamese leadership, including General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
He wondered, in the last two years, how many new tax information agreements and double taxation avoidance treaties had been signed by the Modi government.
“China and India should respect and care for each other on issues of major concern, and handle differences in a constructive way”, Xi told Modi.
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Modi told Xi that “our response to terrorism must not be motivated by political consideration” – an apparent reference to Pakistan, India’s arch rival and China’s all-weather friend.
