India for further strengthening of trade ties with Vietnam

NEW DELHI: India attaches high priority to further strengthening its strategic bilateral ties with Vietnam, the 'pillar' of its Look East policy, especially in areas of economic and defence, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.

This was conveyed by Mukherjee to Le Thanh Hai, Politburo member of Vietnam Communist Party and Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, who called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Hai's visit is the first by a Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City to India.

"As two dynamic economics of Asia, there is a huge potential. India looks forward to adding more substance and content to our strategic partnership, especially in economic, commercial, defence and security, scientific and technical and cultural fields," Mukherjee said.

The President said Vietnam is a pillar of India's Look East Policy. "India attaches high priority to strengthening its engagement with Vietnam both bilaterally and within the framework of Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN),' the President said.

Mukherjee said the two countries' relationship is based on mutual trust and convergence of interests and views on global issues.

People of India have great admiration for the courage of the people of Vietnam and their warmth and affection towards India, he said.

"Vietnam holds a special place in the hearts of the Indian people," Mukherjee said.

The President said the close and personal friendship between great leaders Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh and between Indira Gandhi and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong has provided a solid foundation for the contemporary relations between the two countries.

Le Thanh Hai warmly reciprocated the President's words and said the people and government of Vietnam are very grateful for the support extended by India over the years.

He requested the Indian Government to encourage Indian investors to invest in Ho Chi Minh City.