PM Modi arrived in Vietnamese capital Hanoi in the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 15 years. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the country in 2001.
During the visit India and Vietnam signed a protocol on double taxation avoidance agreement.
The other agreements signed are cooperation in exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, MoU between BIS and STAMEQ for mutual recognition of standards, contact with L&T for utilization of $100 million LoC for offshore Patrol boats, cooperation in the field of health, celebrating 2017 as ‘Year of Friendship’.
India-Vietnam relations have been exceptionally friendly and cordial since their foundations were laid by India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh more than 50 years ago.
The traditionally close and cordial relations have their historical roots in the common struggle for liberation from foreign rule and the national struggle for independence.
India and Vietnam closely cooperate in various regional forums such as ASEAN, East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) besides UN and WTO.