New Delhi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptions in New Delhi on August 1 afternoon (local time) for Jagat Prakash Nadda, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Mallikarjun Kharge, President of the Indian National Congress (INC), within the framework of his state visit to India.
Receiving Jagat Prakash Nadda, Chinh expressed gratitude for the valuable support and assistance by the BJP and the people of India to the Communist Party and the people of Vietnam during the struggle for independence in the past and in the current nation building and development cause.
He proposed the BJP support the further increase of connectivity and the opening of more direct air routes between the two countries, the creation of a greater access to the Indian market for Vietnamese products, and the enhancement of cooperation with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), through increasing delegation exchanges and meetings, establishing cooperation mechanisms, and setting forth major directions for bilateral relations.
The BJP President congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, emphasising his commitment to maintaining the close relationship between the two peoples. He affirmed that efforts will be made to implement the agreements reached during Chinh’s visit, with the aim of further developing the traditional friendship between the two countries.
On this occasion, PM Chinh invited the BJP President to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.
While receiving Mallikarjun Kharge and several other leaders of the party and former INC President Sonia Gandhi, Chinh expressed his gratitude for the contributions of the INC, including those of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, to the development of the two countries’ relations.
That the CPV and the INC have maintained a fine traditional friendship is a crucial element in advancing and nurturing the relationship between Vietnam and India today. Historically, India has frequently expressed solidarity with Vietnam's struggle for independence and reunification. Notably, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Vietnam (1954-2024), with India having played an active role in promoting and achieving this agreement, he stated.
The Vietnamese leader also highlighted that Vietnam and India are not only traditional friends but also comprehensive strategic partners with huge cooperation potential, and both countries are working to leverage their strengths and enhance collaboration across various fields, including defence and security, economics and trade, science and technology, culture and education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The INC President spoke highly of the outcomes of PM Chinh’s visit to India and affirmed that, in any position, he will consistently support the development of Vietnam-India relations. He said he wishes to consolidate and further strengthen the traditional friendship between the INC and the CPV through information sharing and consultations, and delegation exchanges in the coming time./.
