General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a banquet for Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his entourage in Hanoi on November 20.

President Nguyen Phu Trong and Indian his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind raise their glasses to the fruitful bilateral ties

In his speech delivered at the event, Trong hailed his guest’s visit to Vietnam as a vivid proof of Vietnam – India traditional friendship and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership.  

Noting that the two nations’ cultural connection dates back nearly 2,000 years, President Trong said the Cham towers within the My Son sanctuary that the Indian leader visited the day before reflect the age-old cultural, religious and historical links between Vietnam and India. 

Trong recalled the historical meeting between the then President Ho Chi Minh and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in Hanoi 64 years ago, which laid a firm foundation for current bilateral ties.

The relations, over nearly seven decades, have reached new heights, particularly the upgrade to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, he added.

The Vietnamese leader said following the outcomes of recent high-ranking visits between Vietnam and India, he and the Indian President frankly discussed orientations for the stronger development of bilateral ties during their talks. The growth of the relations will contribute to building the Asian and Indian Ocean – Asia – Pacific region toward openness, peace, prosperity, and cooperation for mutual development.

He said he believes with determination and consensus from leaders and people of the two countriesd, the ties will continue to thrive.

For his part, President Ram Nath Kovind highlighted the special historical feature of the relationship, which he said has been nurtured by spiritual, cultural, as well as Buddhist and Hindu philosophy connections.

He affirmed his confidence in future growth of the partnership, saying the contribution of the rapid-growing Vietnamese and Indian economies will bring stability and development to the region and the world.-VNA