The Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday evening held a reception at Sofitel Saigon Plaza to celebrate the 65th Republic Day of India.

The event was joined by Deepak Mittal, Consul General of India in HCMC, his wife Dr. Alpna Mittal, Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee, Indian community in HCMC, guests from diplomatic missions in the city and other Vietnamese and foreign guests.

“The past year has been a significant year in India-Vietnam relations, when we witnessed exchange of high level visits. The landmark State visit of the Hon’ble General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to India in November 2013, helped to deepen the strategic partnership between India and Vietnam with the signing of 8 new Agreements in various fields,” said Deepak Mittal.

“Bilateral trade and Investment relations have seen tremendous growth during the past year. Bilateral trade grew by nearly 40% and we are confident that we would achieve the target of US$ 7 billion well before 2015. Notably, there has been significant increase in exports from Vietnam to India. The two sides have set new trade target of US$ 15 billion by 2020.”

“Over the years, HCMC has attracted many Indian companies, investors, traders and professionals. We held a number of business events in the city over the past year, including multi-sectoral business delegations from the Federation of Indian Exporters Organizations, and sector-specific delegations in the areas of pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering, plastics and chemicals.”

“We are working closely with the People’s Committee of HCMC and the Greater Municipal Corporation of Mumbai for establishing a Sister City relationship between the two cities. We hope to take it forward this year.”

“The signing of the Air Services Agreement during the visit of the Hon’ble General Secretary has raised hopes of establishing direct air links between India and Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City in the near future,” he added.

On January 24, Union of Friendship Organizations and Vietnam – India Friendship Association Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Republic of India which fell on January 26.

The Republic Day commemorates the coming into force of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950. The Constitution defined the underlying political principles of the Indian State as a “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic”, and it is on this basis that India has consolidated itself politically and economically.