Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang will be on a three-day visit to India from March 2-4 during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on enhancing defence and security cooperation. South China Sea, where several of the ASEAN countries are having dispute with China, too will be discussed during the meetings between Quang and Modi. 

"We attach importance to relations with our big neighbours like China —There are differences on South China Sea (SCS). But the two countries are trying with the ASEAN countries on how to sort out our problems —With India, during President Quang's visit, South China Sea will be discussed because the situation there is still complicated.

"There are some positive developments, especially on the framework on Code of Conduct (CoC) in SCS. The framework has been approved both by ASEAN and China and they have committed to start negotiations on the details of CoC. I think on ground there is still a lot of work need to be done," Vietnam's ambassador to India Toh Sinh Thanh said on Tuesday while briefing the media on the visit.

President Quang will arrive in New Delhi on March 2 after a brief stopover at Bodhgaya. On March 3, he will hold meetings with President, PM and External Affairs Minister. He will also deliver a special address on March 4 at the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA). President Quang will be accompanied by his wife Nguyen Thi Hien, and an 18- member official delegation having Ministers and party leaders, besides a delegation of 65 businessmen and 10 artists.

"Together with India we are the fastest growing economy. We have strong and effective defence cooperation. We are keen on buying defence equipment for the Navy," Thanh said. During PM Modi's visit to Hanoi in 2016, India extended a $500 million line of Credit to Vietnam to help in modernisation of its defence and security.  "President Quang's visit will further deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam," Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The visit takes place nearly a month after Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc was in New Delhi to attend the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit and Republic Day parade along with other ASEAN leaders.

Meanwhile, to propagate cultural ties, 10 Vietnamese artists are collaborating with their Indian counterparts for a new exhibition as part of the Vietnam-India Artists' Camp. The show, organised by SEHER in association with Embassy of Vietnam and India International Centre, will coincide with the India visit of Vietnamese President. The exhibition seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations through art, organisers said. The event, scheduled to be held at India International Centre here, promises to offer a mesmerising experience to art enthusiasts while providing a sneak peek into the diverse Vietnamese culture.