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.