India, Vietnam hold delegation level talks

Hanoi [Vietnam], Sept. 3 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held delegation level talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi, Vietnam. "A comprehensive review of the Strategic Partnership. PM @narendramodi & PM Nguyen Phuc lead delegation level talks," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup. It is expected that more than 10 agreements ranging from agreements on defence, health and space are going to be signed between the two countries after the talks. Prime Minister Modi has said that his visit to Vietnam is a reinforcement of friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation of both the countries. In an interview to Vietnam news agency, Prime Minister Modi said his visit is intended to further boost bilateral and multilateral engagement and cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, commerce, culture, human resource development, science and technology, space research, defence and security amid New Delhi and Hanoi. "India not only stood by Vietnam during its freedom struggle but also during its phase of national reunification. The late 1970s and 80s were a difficult period for Vietnam, and India was one of the few countries that stood by Vietnam in its time of need. My visit to Vietnam is a reinforcement of our friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation," said Prime Minister Modi. The Indian Prime Minister earlier today visited the stilt house where revered leader Ho Chi Minh lived. Ho Chi Minh was the prime minister and the president of the country. "A visit to a location deeply revered by Vietnamese! PM visits Nha San Bac Ho, President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house," Swarup said on Twitter. "Seeking an auspicious start. PM @narendramodi and PM Phuc feed fish in Uncle Ho's pond in the Presidential compound," he said. The stilt house was the residence of Ho Chi Minh from 1958 until his death in 1969. The house is located inside the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. The Indian Prime Minister, who arrived in Vietnamese capital Hanoi Hanoi last night, also met Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. "A renewed warmth with Vietnam. PM @narendramodi and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc meet for a tete-a-tete before formal talks," tweeted Swarup. Prime Minister Modi also paid homage to national heroes and martyrs at their monuments. He also laid wreath at the war memorial located across the Ba Dinh Square, across the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and close to Hanoi Citadel. Prime Minister Modi then paid homage to revered leader Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. He was then accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourts of Presidential Palace and was given a guard of honour by the Vietnamese Government. (ANI)