Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always considers India as aleading partner and a trustworthy friend, and attaches great importance todeveloping the comprehensive strategic partnership with India, stated AmbassadorNguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).

Receiving leaders of the Indian Society for CulturalCooperation and Friendship (ISCUF) in Hanoi on August 24, Ambassador Ngaaffirmed that since the two countries set up the strategic partnership in 2007,which was lift up to a comprehensive strategic in 2016, bilateral ties havebeen substantial and effective in all five pillars of politics-diplomacy, defence-security,economy-trade, science-technology, education-training andculture-people-to-people exchange.

Recognising the important contributions that the ISCUF hasmade to the strengthening of friendship and people-to-people contacts betweenthe two countries, Ambassador Nga underlined that the VUFO and theVietnam - India Friendship Association are ready to coordinate with Indianpartners, including the ISCUF to organise activities to promote the solidarity,friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The two sides should hold exchanges for youngsters andchildren, along with conferences and seminars on issues of mutual interest, shesuggested.

Agreeing with Ambassador Nga’s proposals, Vice President ofthe ISCUF Kanungo Agasti expressed his hope that this visit will help thedelegation get deeper understanding of the land and people of Vietnam, whilestrengthening the solidarity, friendship and collaboration between the twocountries.

The Indian delegation, comprising 14 members, is on a visitto Hanoi from August 23-28. This is parts of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and India.

Also on August 24, the ISCUF delegation had a meeting withleaders of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO), during whichthey were introduced to the culture, cuisine and people of the capital city.

Addressing the event, HUFO Vice President Tran Thi Phuongsaid that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India begun more than2,000 years ago from the exchange of culture, religion and trade among peopleof both sides.

The two countries have shared many common values inpatriotism, humanistic traditions, love of peace, and are more closely linked bythe ideal of fighting for national liberation, said Phuong.

Highlighting the meaning of the visit, she said that the city hopes to Indianfriends cultural and historical traditions of the city through visits to localrelic sites such as Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam and more than 700-year-old Bat Trangpottery village.

She expressed her hope that members of the delegation will get a deeper insight into BatTrang and Hanoi in general, thus strengthening the mutual friendship andunderstanding between people of India and Hanoi.

For his part, Kanungo Agasti said that he has a special lovefor the land and people of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular.

He showed his impression on the growth of Vietnam in allfields, hoping that the visit will help strengthen the all-round ties aswell as cultural and people-to-people exchange between the two sides.

The HUFO is scheduled to organise a visit for the delegationto Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam on August 28.

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1972, the relationshipbetween the two countries has gone through a long journey and reaped many greatachievements.

Currently, India is the 10th largest trading partner of Vietnam.As of April last year, the South Asian country had invested in 299 projectswith a total capital of 909.5 million USD, ranking 26th out of 126 countriesand territories investing in Vietnam. Vietnam and India are working togethertowards the target of 15 billion USD in two-way trade./.