<p>Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lead the Indian delegation in the talks with the visiting Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang as the discussions are likely to cover deepening of strategic and defence ties besides inking agreements on an extradition treaty.<br /><br />External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s visit to Hanoi last month raised China’s hackles as it saw India’s state-owned ONGC Videsh sealing pacts for oil exploration in offshore blocks off the South China Sea. <br /><br />Beijing, which claims full sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, objected to the oil deals in the disputed territory. <br /><br />New Delhi, nevertheless, has defended the move saying its cooperation with Vietnam was in accordance with international laws and underlined the need for freedom of navigation in South China Sea.<br /><br />Briefing reporters on the Vietnam president’s visit, External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretaries Arun Goyal and Vishnu Prakash said the two leaders will discuss the entire gamut of relationship which will include cooperation in hydercarbon sector also. They were asked if India will talk about strengthening of ties in the energy sector in the wake of recent objections by China.<br /><br />They said the two sides will have comprehensive talks during which both leaders will discuss all international, regional and bilateral issues of “mutual interest”, including the ways to strengthen ties in the area of oil and natural gas exploration.<br />The two countries will also sign a Friendship Agreement to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. India and Vietnam also have strategic defence ties with both countries involved in military exercises between all three wings of defence forces. <br /></p>
<p>Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lead the Indian delegation in the talks with the visiting Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang as the discussions are likely to cover deepening of strategic and defence ties besides inking agreements on an extradition treaty.<br /><br />External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s visit to Hanoi last month raised China’s hackles as it saw India’s state-owned ONGC Videsh sealing pacts for oil exploration in offshore blocks off the South China Sea. <br /><br />Beijing, which claims full sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, objected to the oil deals in the disputed territory. <br /><br />New Delhi, nevertheless, has defended the move saying its cooperation with Vietnam was in accordance with international laws and underlined the need for freedom of navigation in South China Sea.<br /><br />Briefing reporters on the Vietnam president’s visit, External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretaries Arun Goyal and Vishnu Prakash said the two leaders will discuss the entire gamut of relationship which will include cooperation in hydercarbon sector also. They were asked if India will talk about strengthening of ties in the energy sector in the wake of recent objections by China.<br /><br />They said the two sides will have comprehensive talks during which both leaders will discuss all international, regional and bilateral issues of “mutual interest”, including the ways to strengthen ties in the area of oil and natural gas exploration.<br />The two countries will also sign a Friendship Agreement to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. India and Vietnam also have strategic defence ties with both countries involved in military exercises between all three wings of defence forces. <br /></p>