At the meeting, Ambassador Tshering W. Sherpa affirmed that people-to-people exchanges have played a vital role in connecting and strengthening cooperation between India and Vietnam.

The ambassador noted that Minister Dao Ngoc Dung and a delegation from the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs will soon attend the Festival of Indian Ethnic Groups in New Delhi.

“The visit by Minister Dao Ngoc Dung to India is a particularly important event. We therefore hope to ensure the best possible preparations,” the ambassador emphasized.

Speaking at the reception, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung expressed his pleasure at the steadily growing relationship between Vietnam and India. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972 and upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2016.

On this occasion, the minister extended his appreciation to the Government and Prime Minister of India, as well as the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, for facilitating Vietnam’s reception of sacred relics of the Buddha during the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 celebrations. The event, he said, contributed significantly not only to the Vesak celebrations but also to fostering global connection, compassion, and the goodness inherent in humanity.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung highly valued the organization of the Festival of Indian Ethnic Groups, describing it as an important event not only for India but also for many other countries, including Vietnam. It offers an opportunity to reflect, assess, and strengthen coordination among ethnic communities, ensuring equality, solidarity, and shared progress.

He stressed that, like India, ethnic and religious affairs are strategic issues for Vietnam. The country regards unity among ethnic groups and religions as a strategic objective and a decisive factor in successfully building great national solidarity.

“We wish to visit India and attend the Festival of Indian Ethnic Groups to witness and learn from your experience, thereby drawing lessons to further improve our own ethnic and religious work in Vietnam,” the minister said.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung added that the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs will organize a working delegation led by its leadership to visit and work in India. He expressed his hope that, within the framework of the event, Vietnam and India would sign memoranda of understanding on cooperation in ethnic and religious affairs.

He voiced confidence that with goodwill, mutual respect, and a strong sense of responsibility, activities aimed at promoting cooperation between the two countries will become increasingly substantive and in-depth.

Hoang Quy