India announces $500 M package to cooperate in Vietnam's defence strategies

Hanoi: Giving a strong message to China, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday announced a credit of 500 million dollars for Vietnam to cooperate in the nation's defence strategies. Strengthening the ties between India and Vietnam, the two nations also signed 12 pacts for cooperation in Defence, Solar energy, Taxation, Information Technology and other key development areas.

PM Modi, who was in the country to attend its National Day celebrations, also addressed a joint press conference with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.

PM's move could disturb China:

• This visit to Vietnam could be seen as India's strong indication to the China who share defence related issues with both the nations.
• It may be mentioned that China does not share smooth relationship with India and has at times favoured Paksitan in its attempt to create tensions in the country. It had also recently opposed India's move of inducting the supersonic missile BrahMos at Arunanchal border.
• The bilateral relations between Vietnam and China have also been turbulent despite their common socialist background.

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What PM Modi said about Vietnam:

• While addressing the conference the Indian Prime Minister said that Vietnam holds a special place in heart of every Indian.
• "The links between our societies go back over two thousand years. The advent of Buddhism from India to Vietnam and the monuments of Vietnam's Hindu Cham temples stand testimony to these bonds," stated Prime Minister Naendra Modi.
• Appreciating the bond maintained between the two nations, Modi said, "The bravery of the Vietnamese people in gaining independence from the colonial rule has been a true inspiration."

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PM accorded ceremonial welcome, greeted by Vietnamese President:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the first PM in last 15 years to visit the communist nation, was welcomed by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quant.
• PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome in front of the majestic Presidential Palace and then was taken to the traditional stilt house near the palace where Vietnam's beloved leader Ho Chi Minh lived between 1958-1969. The Prime Minister also inspected the guard of honour by the three armed forces of the host country.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for China later, in the day, to take part in the G-20 Summit which is to be held from September 3 to September 5 and would be attended by number of prominent world leaders including United States President Barack Obama.