Chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association’s HCM City chapter Huynh Thanh Lap and Indian Consul General Smita Pant. Photo: vov.vn

A ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 14th to mark the 67th anniversary of India’ Independence Day (August 15th) in the presence of the municipal leading officials and the Indian Consulate General in the city.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association’s HCM City chapter Huynh Thanh Lap highlighted the close traditional relationship between Vietnam and India, which originates from both nations’ similarities in culture, arts and religion, and was nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

According to Lap, the two countries have seen increasing development in bilateral ties. They have targeted to bring two-way trade to 7 billion USD in 2015 while boosting investment between the two countries and launching a direct route between Vietnam and India.

For her part, Indian Consul General Smita Pant said the sound relationship between Vietnam and India has become stronger, especially after the visits of high-ranking leaders from both countries.

Vietnam has received a large investment from the India private sector, she said, adding Indian firms have invested about 936 million USD in Vietnam.

Source: VNA