Vice President Naidu kicks off Vietnam's visit by addressing Indian community

Describing the ties between India and Vietnam as civilizational and historic, the Vice President said “our partnership has stood the test of time.

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu kicked off his four-day official visit to Vietnam by addressing the Indian community soon after his arrival at Hanoi today.

Describing the ties between India and Vietnam as civilizational and historic, the Vice President said “our partnership has stood the test of time. More than 2000 years ago, Indian monks and traders brought with them the message of peace and compassion of Lord Buddha to Vietnam”.

Shri Naidu said that successive generations of leaders from Ho Chi Minh and Mahatma Gandhi to the current leaders have built upon this trust and goodwill.

Referring to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, Shri Naidu stated that India is committed to building its cooperative relationship with Vietnam in diverse fields.

Pointing out that agricultural growth has been a key driver in the remarkable progress achieved by Vietnam, he said India was privileged as a development partner to have contributed to Vietnam’s agricultural revolution and food security.

The Vice President said the Indian community in Vietnam, though small in number, has numerous achievements to its credit and was well respected. Indians and Indian business and industry in Vietnam have been instrumental in promoting bilateral understanding and creating opportunities for the local economy and society.

Expressing his satisfaction over the doubling of the trade between the two nations from US Dollars 7.8 billion in 2016 to nearly US Dollars14 billion last year, he said both the nations must come together with pride and purpose and help each other grow and prosper.

Referring to India’s growth story, the Vice President said that an ambitious and transformative vision was making India one of the most favourite investment destinations in the world. India has become the fastest growing large economy in the world. “We will be a USD 5 trillion economy by 2030”, he added and gave a detailed overview of the progress achieved in various sectors.

Observing that India was moving fast to transform itself into a modern 21st-century inclusive economy, Shri Naidu said three D`s--Democracy, Demand and Demographic Dividend were scripting India`s story and termed the Indian Diaspora as the fourth D. He urged the Indian Diaspora to contribute and join in the development agenda back home.

Describing Indians living abroad as our cultural ambassadors, he told them to continue to cherish their Indian roots and rich cultural traditions and at the same time nourish the socio-economic and cultural life of Vietnam.

The Vice President said that he was looking forward to his official engagements with the Vice President, Mr Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, the Prime Minister, Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairperson, National Assembly of Vietnam, Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan during his visit.

On May 12, the Vice President will participate in the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Vietnam's northern Ha Nam province and deliver the keynote address at the inaugural of the event.

The Secretary to the Vice President of India, Dr I.V. Subba Rao, the Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Smt. Vijay Thakur Singh, the Ambassador of India to Vietnam, Shri P. Harish and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

(With Inputs from PIB)