India, Vietnam sign agreements on energy, tourism and culture
India, Vietnam sign agreements on energy, tourism and culture
HANOI (AP): Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
received a warm welcome on Monday during an official visit to
Vietnam that is part of India's policy of improving ties with
rapidly growing Southeast Asian nations.
Vajpayee, the first Indian head of state to visit Vietnam
since 1994, is expected to discuss trade and economic ties along
with regional security issues. He continues on to Indonesia on
Wednesday for a four-day visit.
Looking frail and tired, Vajpayee, who recently underwent knee
surgery, was assisted out of his car as he arrived for a red-
carpet welcome at the ornate Presidential Palace. He was greeted
by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.
Vajpayee skipped the traditional review of a military honor
guard and went straight into hour-long talks with Khai. "I'm sure
your visit will further strengthen the long-term relationship
between our two countries," Khai told Vajpayee during opening
remarks.
Ties between New Delhi and Hanoi date back to the close
relationship during the 1950s between then Indian leader
Jawaharlal Nehru and Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Minh. India
was among the few countries that officially recognized North
Vietnam when it was formed in 1954.
Although diplomatic ties are strong, trade remains limited at
about US$150 million a year. India has foreign direct investment
projects worth about dlrs 135 million in Vietnam.
Citing the countries' common struggle for independence,
Vajpayee expressed his pleasure at visiting a unified Vietnam. In
his youth, he only visited South Vietnam, he said.
"In modern times we have fought against colonialism and
imperialism jointly," Vajpayee said. "Now I am very glad to be
here."
At the end of the closed-door talks, the two men witnessed the
signing of agreements on atomic energy, tourism and cultural
exchange.
India renewed for a third year an agreement to train
Vietnamese scientists at Indian nuclear power plants and send
Indian scientists to Vietnam's nuclear research facility in the
central highlands city of Dalat.
Vietnam is searching for an alternative energy source to
hydropower and coal. So far, 25 Vietnamese scientists have
received training at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in Mumbai
and four Indian scientists have visited Dalat, said A.K. Anand,
director of international relations for India's Atomic Energy
Commission.
The two sides also signed agreements on cooperation in tourism
and cultural exchange. Members of a youth delegation that will
travel to India this month were allowed to greet the two leaders.
A group of Indian youths will arrive in Vietnam in May.
Vajpayee planned to meet later Monday with President Tran Duc
Luong, Defense Minister Pham Van Tra and Foreign Minister Nguyen
Dy Nien.
On Tuesday, he is to pay respects at Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum
before visiting wartime General Vo Nguyen Giap and Communist
Party Secretary General Le Kha Phieu.
He travels to Indonesia on Wednesday for a four-day visit, the
first by an Indian head of state in 14 years. Wide-ranging talks
on security and trade are expected.