Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh has proposed that Vietnam and India should deepen their strategic partnership with focus on cooperation in politics, defence, security, economics, science and technology, oil and gas, and culture.

Presenting his credentials to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on October 21, he also noted the importance of bilateral affiliation in people-to-people contacts, as well as in regional and multilateral cooperation.

Vietnam is proud to have a loyal friend of India , who have accompanied with the country during its past struggle for independence as well as current national construction and defence, he emphasised.

The ambassador stated that Vietnam continues backing India ’s “Look East” policy and initiatives on connectivity with Southeast Asia , while supporting the country’s rising role at regional and international forums. He also pledged that he will do his utmost to bring bilateral ties to a new height.

On his part, President Pranab Mukherjee recalled his memories of his Vietnam visit in September this year, during which many agreements were reached, contributing to beefing up bilateral ties.

Expressing his delight at the growing relations between the two countries, he suggested that the two sides should take economics as a key focus of their strategic partnership.

He also vowed to support to Ambassador Thanh during his office term.-VNA