Vietnam has assured that it will support India’s candidature for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC). The assurance by Vũ Hồng Nam,Vice-Foreign Minister of Vietnam came during his meeting with Preeti Saran, Secretary, East, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Both sides met for the 8th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and 5th Strategic Dialogue here on Tuesday.
“Vietnamese side reaffirmed its support for India’s candidature for a Permanent seat in an expanded UNSC,” stated a release issued by the MEA.
Both sides also discussed bilateral issues, including political and security related matters, and held talks on trade and investment, cooperation in health, energy and agriculture sector, connectivity, lines of credit and other capacity building projects in Vietnam and increasing people-to-people ties. Both parties also discussed the progress in energy space.
India and Vietnam have been engaged in exploration activity in blocks off the coast of Vietnam since 1988. On 28 October 2014, during the visit of the Prime Minister of Vietnam to India, ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) signed a Heads of Agreement with PetroVietnam for participation in agreed blocks, subject to due diligence and negotiations on the terms.
India and Vietnam also discussed matters related to the South China Sea dispute and the need for peaceful resolution of all disputes in accordance with accepted principles of international law as reflected notably in the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, the release said.
Vietnam is also a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), in which India is also a participant. Besides, Vietnam is a crucial trade partner for India under the India-ASEAN free trade agreement.