Lt. Gen. Amarjeet Singh Bedi, Director General of India’s Defence Intelligence Agency has applauded the strong development of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) which plays a crucial role in promoting stability in the region.

Vietnamese Defence Attaché in India Colonel Nguyen Quang Chien
addresses the ceremony in New Delhi (Photo:VNA)

In his address at a ceremony held by the Vietnamese Embassy in New Delhi on December 20 to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the VPA, the Indian officer highlighted cooperation as an important field in the India-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership, adding that both nations pledge to maintaining security and stability in Southeast Asia and dealing with non-traditional security threats.

He said his nation desires to take its bilateral relations with Vietnam to new heights for development and prosperity of both sides. He voiced his confidence that the VPA will make greater contributions to development, advancement and peace of the humankind.

Singh Bedi noted with satisfaction the two countries’ closer cooperation at regional and global forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), noting that there is plenty of room for both sides to further expand their cooperation in the time ahead.

Vietnamese Defence Attaché in India Colonel Nguyen Quang Chien affirmed Vietnam’s high determination to settle all disputes and disagreements through peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law and practice, and proactively prevents war risks.

However, Vietnam will take all necessary measures to defend itself when its sovereignty, territory and national interests are violated, Chien underlined.

At the event, Chien introduced the 2019 White Paper on Vietnam National Defence to participants, whilst reaffirming that Vietnam will not engage a military ally or join hands with any countries to resist a third country.

Vietnam will not allow any countries to set up a military base in Vietnam or use Vietnam's territory to oppose other nations, and it will not use or threaten to use force in international relations.  The country will also step up defense cooperation with other countries to improve its national defense capacity and deal with common security challenges, he added.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique also held a get-together in Maputo to congratulate officers and soldiers of Movitel – a joint venture between Vietnam’s Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group and Mozambique's SPI Invespar company - on the VPA’s founding anniversary.

In his speech, Ambassador Le Huy Hoang hailed the important role of the VPA in the past struggles for national liberation and the current cause of national construction and development.

The diplomat praised Movitel for its remarkable contributions to Vietnam’s economic development, as well as to promoting Vietnamese culture and images of its people in the host society.

Deputy General Director of Movitel Nguyen Ngoc Nam assured the company’s resolve to bring more economic benefits to the home country.