1. Her Excellency Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of India paid a State Visit to Viet Nam from 24 to 28 November, 2008 at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, the President of Viet Nam.  The accompanying delegation comprised Minister of State for Industry Hon. Shri Ashwani Kumar, members of Parliament and senior officials.

2. The President of India was accorded an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on 27 November, 2008.  His Excellency Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet held official level discussions and hosted State Banquet in honour of H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil called on General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam H.E. Mr. Nong Duc Manh and met Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung.  The President of India visited Ho Chi Minh City on 24 and 25 November, 2008.  H.E. Mr. Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee hosted Dinner in honour of the President of India.

3. The Bilateral discussions were held in an atmosphere of traditional friendship, warmth and close understanding. The two Presidents expressed deep satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations, and the mutually beneficial cooperation and new strategic partnership that was developing rapidly between India and Viet Nam.  Their discussion included a wide range of subjects of bilateral interest covering the challenging global and regional state of economy, booming bilateral trade and promising trend of Indian investment in Viet Nam, cooperation in the vital fields of steel production, oil and gas, nuclear energy, lines of credit, information & communications, law enforcement, security, defense, education and cultural cooperation, including restoration of Cham temples.  The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

4. The two leaders recalled the importance of State Visit by H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung to India in July 2007 and the decision of the two countries to establish a strategic partnership on the occasion of this visit which brought the relations between brotherly nations of India and Viet Nam to new heights and helped link, diversity, and deepen the relationship between Viet Nam and India in a rapidly changing international environment at the present time and in the years to come.  They expressed satisfaction that Prime Ministers of India and Viet Nam have been meeting at regional summits such as ASEAN, ASEM (Asia Europe meeting) and EAS (East Asia Summit).  They also recognized that other high level Ministerial visits between the two countries significantly bind the two great Asian economies closer.  They reiterated their resolve to continue their bilateral dialogue and cooperation within regional framework and at various international fora.

5. The Presidents of India and Viet Nam noted that the 13th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission of India and Viet Nam had met in New Delhi in 2007 recognizing the extent and potential for deeper cooperation, and setting target for $2 billion bilateral trade which has been achieved ahead of schedule. They noted that the 14th meeting of the Commission will be held in Hanoi in 2009 and that the Joint Commission has proved to be an effective mechanism in monitoring the activities of cooperation between the two countries in diverse areas and in giving concrete direction to such cooperation in future.
 
6. The two sides also considered exchanges of visits between members of Parliaments to be an important instrument to promote bilateral understanding.

7. The two sides noted that the bilateral trade volume has been growing significantly especially Viet Nam's export to India during 2008, and expressed hope that Vietnamese trade deficit against India will be gradually reduced.  In the meantime, the Government of Viet Nam will take suitable steps and Government of India will assist in bridging the trade deficit.

8. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the results of the State Visit and concluded that it had contributed positively to the strengthening of the friendly ties and strategic partnership between the two countries.

9. The President of India invited the President of Viet Nam to pay a State Visit to India.  The invitations were accepted with pleasure and the dates for the visit would be settled through diplomatic channels.

10. Her Excellency Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India expressed deep gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for the kind reception and warm hospitality extended to her and her delegation.