Date:02/05/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/05/02/stories/2003050203511200.htm

National

India, Vietnam to strengthen cooperation

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 1. India and Vietnam today agreed to "strengthen cooperation" in opposing all forms of violence and terror, attempts to force "one's will on others" or interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign nations.

A joint declaration laying out a framework of "comprehensive cooperation" was signed by the two countries as the visiting Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) general secretary, Nong Duc Manh, held talks with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee. Mr. Manh's visit, his first since taking over as the CPV chief, is part of the high-level exchanges that have been taking place between India and Vietnam.