Chairman of the Indian Chiefs of Staff Committee and Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne said India attaches importance to boosting relations with Vietnam, especially in defense.

The Indian official made the statement while receiving Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Browne also said he believes the Vietnamese army delegation’s visit will create a new boost to the two countries’ strategic partnership, including defense cooperation.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lieut. Gen Ty said he highly appreciated the long-standing Vietnam- India traditional friendship, and congratulated the Indian Government and people on achievements they have made in the national construction and development. He also said he believes that India will develop more prosperously with its acclaimed position in the regional and international arenas.

The two officials shared their delight at the steady development of the defense ties between the two countries, especially since the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral defense cooperation in 2009.

Browne said India strongly supports Vietnam’s initiative to set up an expert working group on humanitarian mine action at the second Asian Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+). He also affirmed to actively assist Vietnam in preparation for joining the UN peacekeeping activities.

Also on Tuesday Sen. Lieut. Gen Ty met with senior Indian military officials, including the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.