VietNamNet Bridge - Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil met President Nguyen Minh Triet in Hanoi today as part of her first visit to Vietnam.

Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and President Nguyen Minh Triet.

VietNamNet Bridge - Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil met President Nguyen Minh Triet in Hanoi today as part of her first visit to Vietnam.

The two leaders participated in the signing ceremony for a number of agreements and had a short press conference after.

The Indian president then met Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

President Patil and her delegation arrived in Hanoi yesterday. She had a meeting with the Viet Nam Women’s Union, where she spoke with Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, former vice president Nguyen Thi Binh, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and other female leaders.

Indian President Pratibha Devisignh Patil arrived in HCM City on Monday on the start of a five-day visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of President Triet.

Viet Nam-India relations have experienced several important developmental steps since the two countries established a strategic partnership in July 2007. The two countries’ Prime Ministers met at the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) in Beijing in October.

The economic relationship of the two countries has experienced a number of significant developments since diplomatic ties were established. In 1982, Viet Nam and India established a joint commission on economic, cultural, scientific and technical co-operation, a mechanism which has allowed the two sides to boost co-operation in multiple fields.

Trade between Viet Nam and India has increased remarkably: from US$72 million in 1995 to over $1 billion in 2006 and $1.53 billion in 2007. During the first seven months of 2008 this figure reached $1.7 billion.

Viet Nam exports to India include coal, pepper, electronic components, rubber, cinnamon, machinery, steel, fibre, footwear. Imports from India include animal feed, mobile phones, medicine, plastic, metal and raw materials for a number of industries.

As of October 2008, India had 30 valid investment projects in Viet Nam, with a total implemented capital of $578 million, ranking 27th out of the 76 investors in the country.

In addition, co-operation in agriculture, culture, education, science, technology, national defence and security has recently been expanded.

India supported Viet Nam in its bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term.

Viet Nam supports India in its efforts to increase co-operation with ASEAN members, its participation in East Asia co-operative matters and its bid to become a permanent member of the expanded UN Security Council.

(Source: VNS/VNN)