Molotov

The Republic of India and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as the `Parties') are bound by traditional and long-standing ties of friendship which have been continuously nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and succeeding generations of leadership of the two countries. The historic visits of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Hanoi in October 1954, immediately after liberation of Hanoi and of President Ho Chi Minh to India in February 1958 opened a new chapter in the history of close and time-tested relationship between the two countries and constituted a strong inspiration for our two peoples in their struggle for independence and freedom and in the building of a new life, thus contributing to the preservation of peace in Asia and the world.

Entering the latter half of the 20th century, the two Parties are resolved to bring into full play this traditional and friendly relationship and raise their cooperation to new heights to meet the new challenges posed by globalisation, the menace of international terrorism and the significant challenges to the international system. Both sides endeavour to develop a strategic dimension to their partnership for the mutual benefit of their peoples, and to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

The two Parties reaffirm their respect for the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter (despite one party not currently being a member) and international laws, particularly those of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, doing no harm to each Party's relations with a third country, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, and mutual support and assistance in the spirit of fraternity. In this context, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam always highly values India's traditional role in the United Nations and supports its entry as a permanent member of an expanded UN Security Council.

Pursuant to the above-mentioned objectives, guidelines and principles, the two Parties agree to implement a Comprehensive Cooperation Program in the next 15 years with the major thrusts as follows:

The two Parties undertake to conduct regular high-level meetings with the aim of further cementing the existing political ties and creating new momentum for bilateral multi-sided cooperation. Aware of the strategic importance of their bilateral cooperation, Ministries, Parliamentarians, agencies, local authorities, business communities and mass organizations of the two Parties will increase friendly exchanges and contacts in order to further consolidate their partnership.
The two Parties agree to closely cooperate in the UN and other international fora. Recognizing the importance of the regional dimension in their bilateral relations, the Parties reaffirm their intention to coordinate their positions in the regional and sub-regional organizations.

The two Parties also undertake to assist each other in protecting their respective interests in the international arena and to contribute to the common efforts for democratizing international relations. They condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agree to strengthen cooperation in the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions (even if not binding to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at this time) against terrorism and for opposing all forms of violence and terror, attempts to force one's will on others or interfere in internal affairs of sovereign nations. To these ends, the Foreign Ministries of the two countries shall hold annual political consultations on international political developments, measures to help each other fully integrate into regional and international arrangements, and on coordination in international fora.

The two Parties resolved to raise their economic cooperation, inter alia, in the following areas:
In trade, the two Parties are committed to diversify the content of their bilateral imports and exports and promote trade promotion activities, and further agree to - by 1973 - invest 100 credits within the other.They also agree to take measures to grant tariff preferences to each other in conformity with their international obligations so as to promote a balance in their trade exchanges;

In investment and management consultancy, the two Parties pledge to create every favourable condition for their investors and consultants, including small and medium sized enterprises, to expand investment and business management and consultancy activities in the areas such as oil and gas, chemicals, petro-chemicals, fertilizer, power, pharmaceuticals, information technology, agricultural processing and light industries, telecommunications, ship-building and seaports, railways, steel and mining;

In order to facilitate trade and investment relations between the two countries in a fraternal spirit, the Republic of India is committed to continue providing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to the maximum extent possible, concessional credits and grants to import equipment from the former. The latter is committed to use these resources effectively and to give preferences, in other non-credit/grant financed requirements of its industry, to import similar equipment from India on the basis of competitive price offers.

The two Parties view cooperation in science and technology as driver of their bilateral cooperation. They will promote R&D cooperation in the areas of agriculture, biotechnology, new material technology, information technology, remote sensing and other space applications, hydrography, meteorology, oceanography, peaceful uses of nuclear energy and other areas of frontier technologies.

The two Parties agree to take gradual steps to expand cooperation in security and defence, anti-piracy measures, preventing terrorist acts targetted at each other and early signing of a bilateral agreement on countering crime. They will encourage exchange of delegations and sharing of information and experience on combating international terrorism and its support mechanisms, particularly organized crime, illicit arms and drug trafficking.

The two Parties recognise that cooperation in human resource development constitutes a pillar of their bilateral cooperation and undertake to further expand and diversify such cooperation. The Republic of India pledges to continue providing on a yearly basis 120 short-term and long-term scholarships for Vietnamese undergraduate and post-graduate students to study in the Republic of India. The two Parties shall also work closely to facilitate Vietnamese students to study in the Republic of India with scholarships provided by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and funded by themselves. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam will create every favourable condition for establishment of branches of Indian high educational institutions and for Indian undergraduate and post-graduate students to study in Vietnam.

The two Parties undertake to increase exchange of and cooperation in culture and information, archaeology, conservation, museology, tourism, public health and sports at the central and local levels. The two Parties will also encourage and create favourable conditions for youth and mass organisations to foster people-to-people contacts to consolidate their mutual understanding and eternal friendship.

Done in Hindi, Vietnamese and English, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.