Le Thanh Hai, Politburo Member, Vietnam Communist Party and Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee…

Mr. Le Thanh Hai, Politburo Member, Vietnam Communist Party and Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (March 14, 2013).

The President said he is happy to know that Mr. Le is visiting India at the invitation of Indian Council for Cultural Relations’ Distinguished Visitors Programme. His visit is the first ever visit by a Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City to India. People of India have great admiration for the courage of the people of Vietnam and their warmth and affection towards India. Vietnam holds a special place in the hearts of the Indian people.

The President said the close and personal friendship between great leaders Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh and between Smt. Indira Gandhi and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong has provided a solid foundation for the contemporary relations between the two countries. It has been built further by succeeding generations of leaders.

The President said he is impressed by the great strides taken by Vietnam in economic and social development. 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 ASEAN. The two countries relationship is based on mutual trust and convergence of interests and views on global issues. 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.

Mr. 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.

This release issued at 1940 hrs