The Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu kicked off his four-day official visit to Vietnam by addressing the Indian community soon after his arrival at Hanoi today.
Describing the ties between India and Vietnam as civilizational and historic, the Vice President said “our partnership has stood the test of time. More than 2000 years ago, Indian monks and traders brought with them the message of peace and compassion of Lord Buddha to Vietnam”.
Naidu said that successive generations of leaders from Ho Chi Minh and Mahatma Gandhi to the current leaders have built upon this trust and goodwill.
Referring to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, Naidu stated that India is committed to building its cooperative relationship with Vietnam in diverse fields.
Pointing out that agricultural growth has been a key driver in the remarkable progress achieved by Vietnam, he said India was privileged as a development partner to have contributed to Vietnam’s agricultural revolution and food security.
The Vice President said the Indian community in Vietnam, though small in number, has numerous achievements to its credit and was well respected. Indians and Indian business and industry in Vietnam have been instrumental in promoting bilateral understanding and creating opportunities for the local economy and society.
Expressing his satisfaction over the doubling of the trade between the two nations from US Dollars 7.8 billion in 2016 to nearly US Dollars14 billion last year, he said both the nations must come together with pride and purpose and help each other grow and prosper.
The Vice President said that he was looking forward to his official engagements with the Vice President, Mr. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, the Prime Minister, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairperson, National Assembly of Vietnam, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan during his visit.
On May 12, the Vice President will participate in the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Vietnam's northern Ha Nam province and deliver the keynote address at the inaugural of the event.
