PM Modi completes two-day visit to Vietnam, heads to China

Hanoi [Vietnam], Sep. 3 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emplaned for Hangzhou to attend the G20 Summit in China after completing a two-day visit to Vietnam. During his visit to Vietnam, the two countries inked a dozen of agreements, including protocol on double taxation avoidance agreement, to foster better ties between the two sides. The other agreements signed include 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 USD 100 million LoC for offshore Patrol boats, cooperation in the field of health, celebrating 2017 as 'Year of Friendship' . Prime Minister Modi earlier held delegation-level talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Prime Minister Modi also invited the Buddhist monks and nuns present at the Quan Su Pagoda to visit the 'land of Buddha' India and his parliamentary constituency Varanasi. Quan Su Pagoda is the headquarters of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam. Stating that Buddhism, which took the sea route, travelled to Vietnam in its purest form from India, Prime Minister Modi said that world should walk on the path of peace that brings happiness and prosperity. Later he called on Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang at the Presidential Palace here on Saturday. Prime Minister Modi lauded the foundation laid for security and defence ties between the two countries and said Vietnam is a priority in India's Act East Policy. During the meeting, President Quang said that Vietnam fully supports Act East Policy of India and thanked the Indian Government for consistent support to socio-economic development of the country. He called for frequent high-level exchanges to further strengthen political trust between the two countries and sought further support from India in investment, education, training and science and technology. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Vietnamese capital Hanoi last night which was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 15 years. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the country in 2001. (ANI)