NEW DELHI, March 15 – India attaches high priority to boosting bilateral ties with Vietnam in many areas, said President Pranab Mukherjee(Pic). This was conveyed by Mukherjee to Le Thanh Hai, Politburo member of the Vietnam Communist Party and Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee secretary during their meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President House) on Thursday, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
“As two dynamic economies of Asia, there is huge potential there. India looks forward to adding more substance to our strategic partnership, especially in economy, commerce, defence and security as well as in scientific, technical and cultural fields,” Mukherjee said.
Vietnam, said the president, is a pillar of India’s Look East Policy.
“India attaches high priority to strengthening its engagement with Vietnam bilaterally and within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),” he said. The two countries’ relationship is based on mutual trust and the convergence of views on global issues, said Mukherjee.
“The Indians have great admiration for the courage of the Vietnamese people and their warmth and affection towards India. Vietnam holds a special place in the hearts of the Indian people,” Mukherjee said. On his part, Hai said the Vietnamese government and citizens are grateful for India’s support over the years and urged Indian investors to invest in Ho Chi Minh City. Hai’s visit is the first by a Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City to India.
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