Chairwoman of the Lower House of the Indian Parliament Meira Kumar arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on May 14, beginning a four-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

In HCM City , the Indian guest met with Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Pham Phuong Thao, who expressed her belief that the visit will help strengthen and deepen the long-lasting friendship and strategic cooperation between Vietnam and India.

The visit will not only help tighten the friendship between the two countries and the two parliaments, but also open up cooperation programmes in training legislative officials, as well as boost cooperation between HCM City and Indian localities, she said.

Both host and guest stressed that the long-lasting friendship between Vietnam and India, which was initiated by President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Nehru and fostered by many generations of the two countries’ leaders, has been continuously maintained, consolidated and developed over time, through the ups and downs in the world situation.

They said that the cooperation between HCM City and Kolkta city as well as other Indian localities will be strengthened with more regular cultural and trade exchanges.

The Indian Lower House Chairwoman said she admired Vietnam’s efforts during its national construction and development, especially in poverty reduction. She affirmed that as an ASEAN member, Vietnam, with its strongly developing economy, will always be a top priority in India ’s “Look East” policy.

During her stay in HCM City from May 14-15, the Indian Lower House Chairwoman will meet with representatives of the Indian Business Association and the Indian community in the city. She will also visit the Vietnam History Museum, the War Remnants Museum and the Thong Nhat Conference Hall.

Source: VNA