President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Photo: Thong Nhat / VNA

Meeting with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on an official visit to Vietnam this week, President Phuc said defense cooperation is considered a pillar of Vietnam-India cooperation and thanked the Indian Government and Ministry of Defense for providing important support to help improve Vietnam’s defense capability.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

The President suggested that the two defense ministries boost mutual consultations at multilateral forums and in regional issues, actively support and participate in multilateral activities organized by each side, especially activities within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM+) and between ASEAN and India.

Minister Rajnath Singh said defense cooperation is a very important area of India's Look East Policy, therefore, India wants to further cooperation with Vietnam on this issue.