President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma. Photo: VOV

At a reception for the Indian diplomat in Hanoi on September 20, the Vietnamese State leader stated that Vietnam consistently places importance on ties with India, which has also given precious support to Vietna, according to the VOV.

Bilateral relations are always sincere and their comprehensive strategic partnership has been growing rapidly over recent years.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral trade soared 18% to US$13.21 billion in 2021 from US$11.2 billion in 2019, and it could exceed US$15 billion this year. There remains plenty of room for both countries, and they should step up greater efforts to elevate their trade turnover in the time ahead, he went on to say.

Phuc said Vietnam highly values the 320 FDI projects worth US$1 billion from India and hopes for more investment from Indian enterprises in sectors such as processing - manufacturing, information technology, green energy, high-tech agriculture, infrastructure, and tourism.

Vietnam supports India’s “Act East” policy and hopes India will continue supporting ASEAN and Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue, which is ensuring navigation and overflight safety and peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Phuc added.

The State leader expressed his confidence that Verma will continue making contributions to the two countries’ relations.

In response, the ambassador showed his elation at achievements in various spheres of the Vietnam - India comprehensive strategic partnership.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) presents a gift to outgoing Indian Ambassador to a Vietnam Pranay Verma, Hanoi, September 20, 2022. (Photo: VNA)

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma at the meeting in Hanoi on September 20 (Photo: VNA)

He recalled the Vietnam-India Virtual Summit in December 2020 and the adoption of a joint vision statement for peace, prosperity and people, adding that he hopes mutual high-level visits will be intensified.

Noting Indian leaders highly value relations with Vietnam, Verma held that the two countries should continue fostering bilateral ties across multiple fields, capitalise on potential and advantages, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

The State leader expressed his belief that Verma will continue making contributions to the two countries’ relations.

The same day, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien received Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma who has concluded his tenure in Vietnam, and Defence Attaches at the Indian Embassy in Vietnam Col. Varadan Kumar and Col. Dheeraj Kotwal.

The Deputy Defence Minister applauded the Indian Ambassador’s efforts and contribution to promoting the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that during Ambassador Pranay Verma’s tenure, the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership has constantly been enhanced across the fields, including defence.

Chien said senior military officers of the two countries have maintained mutual visits and meetings on the sidelines of multilateral forums and annual cooperation mechanisms. The two sides have also boosted collaboration in training, defence industry, UN peacekeeping activities and strategic research.

The deputy minister thanked the Indian government for helping train hundreds of Vietnamese military officers and providing non-refundable aid and credit packages for the Vietnamese Defence Ministry.

He expressed his confidence that Pranay Verma, be in any new position, will continue to work to enhance the ties between the two countries and two armies.

Deputy Minister Chien also thanked Defence Attache Col Varadan Kumar for his contribution to bolstering the bilateral defence cooperation during his tenure in Vietnam. He welcomed the new Indian Defence Attache, Col Dheeraj Kotwal, pledging that the Defence Ministry will offer the best possible conditions for him to fulfil his mission in Vietnam.

For his part, the ambassador voiced his delight at achievements in various spheres of the Vietnam - India comprehensive strategic partnership.

He recalled the Vietnam-India Virtual Summit in December 2020 and the adoption of a joint vision statement for peace, prosperity and people, adding that he hopes mutual high-level visits will be stepped up.

Noting Indian leaders highly value relations with Vietnam, Verma held that the two countries should continue promoting bilateral ties in multiple areas, capitalise on potential and advantages, and boost people-to-people exchanges.

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