At the talks (Photo: PANO)

He made the statement during his talks with Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane, on March 9.

During the talks, Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia asserted that Vietnam always attaches importance to developing its comprehensive and substantial relations with India, as well as the bilateral cooperation, so as to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the two countries.

General Manoj Mukund Naravane thanked Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia and agencies of the People's Army of Vietnam for participating in the phone talks, and affirmed that the relationship between the two countries in general and defense cooperation in particular are developing well and going into reality.

The two sides said that, although affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, defense cooperation between the two militaries was maintained and promoted in accordance with the epidemic situation in each country. The two sides have informed each other about the results of the prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic in each country. The two sides agreed that in the coming time, defense cooperation activities will be implemented quickly after the COVID-19 pandemic has been controlled and the two Governments lift quarantine restrictions.

General Naravane suggested both sides step up all-level delegation exchanges, especially young soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese officer proposed intensifying cooperation in training, military medicine, information technology, UN peacekeeping and military sports.

He expressed his hope that the outcomes of the phone talks will contribute to enhancing the bilateral collaboration./.

Compiled by BTA