Vietnam Prez to focus on trade ties

New Delhi: Defence and trade will be on top of the agenda of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang when he arrives in India on a three-day visit beginning March 2. The focus will be on measures to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership.

President Tran will be accompanied by an 18-member delegation, including deputy prime minister and foreign minister Pham Binh Minh as well as the ministers for trade and industry and planning and investment.

Indian and Vietnam are likely to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in the areas of nuclear energy, agriculture and trade and investment during the visit, Vietnamese envoy to India, Ton Sinh Thanh told reporters.

The issue of the South China Sea, where China has been showing increasing assertiveness, will also be discussed, the envoy said in response to a question.

On his first visit to India, President Tran will visit the Buddhist religious site Bodh Gaya before flying to New Delhi to hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 3. On March 4, the Vietnamese President will deliver an address, which will be an “important policy statement”, the envoy said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Vietnam in 2016, when the two countries agreed to elevate their “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.