PM Modi to embark on visit to Vietnam, China today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two nation tour to Vietnam and China today.

In the first leg of his four day visit, Mr Modi will reach Vietnamese capital Hanoi tonight. Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, Preeti Saran breifed media on Prime Minister's tour in New Delhi yesterday.

She said, during the visit, Mr Modi will meet President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Ms Saran said Vietnam is India's important strategic partner and the visit is aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties including defence, security and trade.

From Vietnam, Prime Minister will leave for China on Saturday evening to attend the G-20 Summit in Hangzhou. Secretary



(West) in the MEA Sujata Mehta said, during the visit, India will take up issues like cross-border mobility of professionals, terror financing, tax evasion and reduction in remittance transaction cost among others.

Ms Mehta said, Mr Modi will be the lead speaker at the session on inclusive and inter connected development. Prime Minister will return home on Monday evening and will again leave on a two day visit to Laos PDR on the 7th of this month to attend the 14th INDIA-ASEAN Summit and 11th East Asia Summit at Vientiane.

At the ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister and ASEAN Leaders will review ASEAN-India cooperation and discuss its future direction in the areas of politico-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation. The leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern.