India’s Republic Day observed in HCM City hinh anh 1At the ceremony to mark the 69th anniversary of India's Republic Day (Photo VNA)

HCM City (VNA) –
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on January 25 to celebrate the 69th anniversary of India’s Republic Day (January 26, 1950).

Chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association in HCM City Huynh Thanh Lap highlighted the increasingly important role and position of India in Asia and the world.

The close friendship between Vietnam and India originated in not only cultural interaction and religious similarity but also solidarity in their fight against colonialism for independence, he said.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, the bilateral relations have been thriving through high-level delegation exchanges, the signing and effective implementation of cooperation agreements, and sound coordination at regional and international forums, he added.

Indian Consul General in HCM City K Srikar Reddy highlighted the deep mutual trust and assistance between Vietnam and India during the wartime.

The bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, established in 2007, has been tightened and developed across the board, particularly in culture, science-technology, aerospace research, defence-security, trade-investment, garment-textile, pharmaceutical products, electricity, petroleum and natural gas.

The Indian Consulate General in HCM City will continue coordinating with the VUFO and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association in the city to increase bilateral art, culture and people-to-people exchanges in addition to linking businesses of the two countries to cement their friendly relations.-VNA

VNA