The Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V.K.Singh visited Ho Chi Minh City on the weekend, marking 45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India.

The high-level visit was also meant to embrace the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries, which was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership, the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said via a press release on Sunday.

During his visit, the Indian minister met with Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong where he acknowledge the leadership role and vision of the southern city, having become the prime engine of economic growth in Vietnam.

Both sides underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral trade and investment and also of forging stronger collaboration in capacity building, green energy, energy efficiency, and IT.

In the afternoon, he attended an interactive event with representatives from Vietnam’s universities and presented them with a Vietnamese re-print of the third edition of Veda – Upanishad, which contains the central philosophical concepts of Hinduism.

The minister also joined a cultural friendship event at the Municipal Theater on Saturday night which featured classical Indian dances and joint performances between the Indian Army Symphony band and the Traditional Orchestra of Vietnam Military Music, Song and Dance Theater.

Members of the Indian Army Symphony band and the Traditional Orchestra of Vietnam Military Music, Song and Dance Theater perform together at the event. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

According to the Consulate General of India, as part of the Indian Act East policy, engaging with ASEAN in general and with Vietnam in particular is an important part of the South Asian country’s economic approach to this region.

The elevation of the strategic partnership between the two countries to that of “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” is an indication of the desire of the political leadership to forge stronger cooperation aimed at regional peace, cooperation and prosperity.

The India-Vietnam partnership is multifaceted and encapsulates cooperation in development, political and cultural exchange, defense and security, human resource development, commercial and economic ties, scholarships and official development assistance.

Artists perform classical Indian dance at the Municipal Theater in Ho Chi Minh City on April 22, 2017. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

India has undertaken several capacity building initiatives in Ho Chi Minh City, and established a Center for Excellence in Software Development and Training in the city under the framework of the India – CLMV (Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam-Myanmar) cooperation.

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