India against 'expansionism' in region, Modi says after meeting Vietnamese counterpart

​​​​​​​By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that his country is against "expansionism” in the region after he hosted his Vietnamese counterpart in New Delhi.

India supports “development” and “not expansionism," Modi said after he met Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh​​​​​​​.

His comments come as China is disputing with Vietnam in the vast South China Sea.

“We will continue our cooperation for a free, open, rules-based and prosperous Indo-Pacific," said Modi, referring to a US policy on a wider Asia-Pacific region.

New Delhi and Hanoi also adopted a new "plan of action" Thursday for cooperation in defense and security.

The two countries have transformed relations into a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and Vietnam is an important partner in India’s “Act East policy and our Indo-Pacific vision," said Modi, adding that both sides have decided that cooperation will be strengthened on “counter-terrorism and cyber security.”

India’s Act East Policy focuses on developing relations with nations in the extended neighborhood in the Asia-Pacific region.

China said both two countries agreed to double trade in the next three to five years.

During 2023 - 2024, bilateral trade reached $14.82 billion, registering an increase of 0.76% year-on-year, according to India.