Embassy stresses importance of Vietnamese President’s visit to India

Vietnamese Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh said the country has obtained a number of socio-economic and diplomatic achievements over the past years, especially in 2017 when it successfully organised the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Vietnam and India have enjoyed continual progress in their relations with many mutual visits and trade approximating US$7.5 billion made in 2017.

The visit by President Tran Dai Quang from March 2 to 4 is the first trip to India by a President of Vietnam in seven years since a visit by then President Truong Tan Sang in 2011. It follows a tour of Vietnam by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016 and a trip to India by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in January, 2018, Thanh noted.

He said this time’s visit is important since it aims to affirm Vietnam’s consistent policy of enhancing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with India. It is intended to effectively expand bilateral cooperation in all aspects, from politics, diplomacy, defence to economy, investment, tourism, culture and education, thus helping to develop their comprehensive strategic partnership in a more substantive manner.

During the visit, the two sides are set to review the Friendship Year 2017 and kick off an array of activities within the framework of the Vietnamese culture days in India. They will also discuss several regional and international issues of shared concern, the ambassador added.

At the press conference, officials of the embassy also informed about other important activities during the trip and fielded reporters’ questions on economic connections, cooperation in defence, sea-related and cultural issues, and Vietnam’s relations with other countries.