President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives visiting Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha (the Lower House) Om Birla. (Photo: NDO)

Welcoming the Indian leader’s visit, President Phuc underlined that Viet Nam is proud to have India as a good and loyal friend.

He recalled his good memories on the land and nation of India during his visit in 2018, and noted that many measures have been rolled out to promote bilateral all-round partnership.

Highlighting that India is now a world power, the world’s sixth largest economy with leading science-technology, while Viet Nam is a country with dynamic development, deep integration and wide opening, President Phuc held that these are favourable factors to promote the Viet Nam-India comprehensive strategic partnership in the future.

Speaker Birla expressed his strong impression on the significant contributions by President Phuc to the development of the Viet Nam-India partnership.

He noted that 2022 marks the 50^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 75^th Independence Day of India, which is a good chance for India to reevaluate its national interests and commitments to the development of the country in a more comprehensive manner.

On the foundation of the sound relationship between the two countries, the Indian lower house speaker expressed his hope that the two countries will expand cooperation in areas of trade, investment, education, training, security and defense. He said he believes that the two countries will always support each other in dealing with global challenges and grow together. On the occasion, Speaker Birla thanked Viet Nam for assisting India in the fight against COVID-19.

He suggested that Viet Nam and India organize more cultural and people-to-people exchange activities, while resuming the aviation connection initiative. India will continue to help Viet Nam in restoring the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site.

President Phuc held that both sides should increase delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels, while working closely together to organize activities to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, including art performances in their capital cities.

Along with defense-security, the Vietnamese State leader said that both sides should promote ties in cyber security, intelligence, fights against terrorism and transnational crime, non-traditional security issues, and mutual assistance in civil matters.

Holding that the number of 300 projects worth nearly 1 billion USD from India is still modest, President Phuc proposed that India continue to create favourable conditions for Indian firms to invest in Viet Nam.

He said that many Vietnamese people are interested in Yoga and joining tours exploring Buddhism in India, so that the two sides should strengthen cooperation in tourism as they have reached mutual recognition of each other’s vaccine passport. Viet Nam and India should resume direct air routes linking their major cities to promote tourism and trade.

On the occasion, President Phuc thanked India for supporting the restoration of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site in Quang Nam.

He expressed his delight at the close coordination and strong mutual support at international and regional forums as well as UN agencies and the Non-Aligned Movement, especially in areas of shared concern such as maritime security, and the respect of international law and the promotion of the observance of the UN Charter.

President Phuc also spoke highly of the Viet Nam-India collaboration at the UN Security Council, especially in 2021 when both performed the role as non-permanent members of the Council.