At the reception, Minh stressed that 2017 is the Vietnam-India Friendship Year as the two countries celebrate 45th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-India diplomatic relations (January 7th, 1972 – 2017) and 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-India Strategic Partnership establishment (July 6th, 2007 – 2017). As planned, many high-ranking visits and important events are to take place so this needs close coordination between the two sides to ensure good outcomes.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh (R) receiving Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Harish Parvathaneni 

The Deputy Prime Minister also suggested that the two sides should soon finalize and sign the Action Plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the Vietnam – India partnership is flourishing, and cooperation at all levels and channels have been promoted. He hoped that the two sides would maintain the existing positive development momentum, further implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and deepen economic cooperation to increase two-way trade turnover in the upcoming years.

The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister also believed that the two countries would continue to strengthen their cooperation especially in defense – security, capacity building, technology transfer, scientific research etc.

Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni confirmed that Vietnam is one of the important pillars in India’s “Act East” policy, and highly appreciated Vietnam’s role as a coordinator of the ASEAN – India relations in the 2015 – 2018 period.

The ambassador said that he would actively work with Vietnamese ministries, branches, and sectors to effectively implement the senior leaders’ agreements and well prepare for upcoming high-level visits. According to the ambassador, many other important activities, such as cultural exchanges, meetings, seminars, and conferences, will be conducted to boost bilateral relations in all fields.

Translated by Ngoc Hung