At the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Addressing the meeting, Huynh Thanh Lap, President of the Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam - India Friendship Association (VIFA), said that August 15
th marked the establishment of the Indian State that has sovereignty, opening up a way for the construction of a modern developed and prosperous country, and a country that is developing most dynamically of the region and of the world.
He stressed that HUFO and VIFA had worked efficiently with the Indian Consulate General in the city to successfully organize activities in the 2017 Vietnam - India Friendship Year. “Apart from political, diplomatic and cultural exchanges, the two agencies have paid attention to promoting investment cooperation among the two countries’ businesses, contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship between Ho Chi Minh city and India.
Showing the respect over the affection of Ho Chi Minh city for India, Mr. Srikar Reddy, Indian Consul General to the city, confirmed that the relationship between the two countries had been established and fostered by generations of leaders, thus now developing well based on mutual trust and understanding as well as common viewpoints on regional and world different issues. “Positive results have been achieved in the relationship between India and Vietnam, and in all political, trade, investment, tourism, cultural and educational areas, benefiting the two people,” he added.
He also expressed his hope that HUFO and VIFA would continue to support activities that boost bilateral relationship, including the celebration of the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the encouragement of yoga practice, exchanges between Ho Chi Minh city’s and Indian students, and links of the two countries’ businesses.
India ranks 27th among 126 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with nearly 200 projects capitalizing USD875 million. Last year, the two-way trade turnover reached USD12.83 billion, and is expected to obtain USD15 billion by 2020./.