Vietnam attaches importance to its strategic partnership with India and supports the country’s bid to become a permanent member of the expanded UN Security Council.

The statement was made by National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son while meeting with Indian Lower House Chairwoman Meira Kumar in New Delhi on June 2 during his three-day working visit to India .

Son affirmed that the friendship between Vietnam and India , which was initiated by late Prime Minister Jawaharrlal Nehru and late President Ho Chi Minh and fostered by successive generations of leaders and the two countries’ people, will flourish in the future.

The NA Vice Chairman spoke highly of effective assistance that India has granted to Vietnam during the struggle for national independence in the past as well as the current national construction.

He suggests the two countries further strengthen cooperation between the two parliaments and increase exchanges of experience and visits.

On the occasion, Son also informed the Indian host about Vietnam ’s situation, especially the success of the 11 th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the elections of deputies to the 13 th NA and local People’s Councils for the 2011-2016 term.

For her part, Indian Lower House Chairwoman Meira Kumar expressed her deep impression on the land and people of Vietnam , especially after her visit to the country last month.

She said she was pleased with the further development of the fine traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations in general and between the two parliaments in particular.

She highly valued the role of Vietnam in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), considering it a bridge for India to realise its “Look East” policy and strengthen ties with other ASEAN member countries.

While affirming India ’s support for Vietnam at regional and international forums, Meira Kumar expressed wish that the two countries’ strategic cooperation in economic, trade, science, and education will develop strongly.

On the same day, the Vietnamese legislators held talks with a delegation from the Indian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence led by its Chairman Satpal Maharaj.

At the talks, Satpal Maharaj affirmed that India considers Vietnam a pillar in its “Look East” policy and expressed his wish that the two nations will further boost bilateral cooperation in different areas.

After emphasising the important role of the Vietnam-India relationship in maintaining peace, security and stability in the region and the world at large, NA Vice Chairman Son said the two countries need to foster cooperation in security and defence.

“ Vietnam supports India ’s greater role in addressing regional and global issues,” he affirmed.

Earlier, the Vietnamese NA delegation visited the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI)./.