HANOI: India and Vietnam signed 12 agreements today in a wide range of areas covering defence, IT, space, double taxation and sharing white shipping information which signals a strong upward push in their strategic ties.

Officials of the two sides signed the agreements in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

"12 for togetherness! India & Vietnam sign a dozen agreements for further strengthening the Strategic Partnership," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Vietnam has shown a keen interest in air and defense production. India's L&T will build offshore high speed patrol boats for Vietnamese Coast Guards, while an agreement was signed on programme of cooperation in UN peacekeeping matters.

Indian Navy and Vietnam Navy will cooperate in sharing of white shipping information.

The pacts included agreement on exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes, agreement on avoidance of double taxation, health cooperation, IT cooperation, cyber security and agreement on contract and design, building of boat in India, equipment supply and technology transfer.