Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang on Wednesday hosted welcome ceremony for and held talks with Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh who is on an official visit to Viet Nam from June 7-10.

At the talks, Phan welcomed Singh to Viet Nam on the occasion of the 50^th fo9unding anniversary of Viet Nam-India diplomatic relations, expressing his belief that the visit would contribute to further advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership in general and the defense ties in particularly, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Minister Phan appreciated India's support and assistance for Viet Nam, particularly in human resource training and granting of defense credit lines.

Singh thanked Phan for his warm hospitality, stating that defense cooperation remains a key pillar of the overall relationship between the two countries.

The two ministers agreed that bilateral defense cooperation has been ceaselessly expanded and developed in various forms.

On future cooperation orientations, the two sides agreed to fully and effectively implement the signed agreements; enhance the exchange of delegations, maintain and improve the effectiveness of dialogue, consultation, and exchange mechanisms, training, as well as strengthen coordination and consultations at multilateral forums.

Comparing notes on regional and international issues of shared concerns, both sides agreed that peace, cooperation and development remain the mainstream in the world. However, political and security environment in the region and the world continues with complicated developments.

The two ministers underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and over-flight in the East Sea, settling disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and pushing for conclusion of a practical and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea that is in line with international law.

On the occasion Phan invited leaders of the Indian Defense Ministry and military companies to advocate and participate in the international defense exhibition hosted by Viet Nam at the end of this year.

Following the talks, the two sides signed a Joint Vision Statement for defense partnership between Viet Nam and India through 2030 and a Memorandum of Understanding on mutual logistics support between the two defense ministries.

During his visit, Singh is expected to lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, and make courtesy calls on President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh./.