On May 6, in Ho Chi Minh City, Politburo member and President Luong Cuong received Mr. Kiren Rijiju - Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Ethnic Minorities of India on the occasion of attending the United Nations Buddha's hand ceremony (Vesak).
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting, the President welcomed Minister Kirijiju on behalf of the Indian government to attend the Vesak Great Festival in Vietnam for the fourth time; Particularly thanks to the Minister for procession of the Buddha and the sacred national treasures of India to Vietnam, contributing to the spread of the spiritual and thought values that the Buddha left for humanity, showing the long -standing cultural and religious relationship between the two countries from thousands of years ago.
The President highly appreciated the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India that was nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, Indian Prime Minister Nehru, and generations of leaders and people of the two countries, becoming a priceless common asset for future generations to continue to preserve and promote.
Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed his honor to have a special visit, accompanying the Buddha's protection to pay his respects in some provinces and cities of Vietnam and congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing the Great United Nations Festival.
The Minister said that he attended the Vesak Festival in many places, but admired the large-scale, methodical and thoughtful organization of the host country of Vietnam at this Festival.
The Minister emphasized that Vietnam and India have had a long-standing connection through Buddhism, expressing his joy that the relationship between the two countries has now developed strongly in almost all fields, from politics, economics, culture, and society.
President Luong Cuong expressed his delight at the strong development of the Vietnam - India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; welcomed the two sides to continue to strengthen bilateral relations through high-level and all-level visits, effectively implementing cooperation mechanisms, agreements and signed cooperation documents.
The President suggested that the two countries increase exchanges and share experiences in the legislative field, especially in removing legal bottlenecks to promote growth in both countries.
President Luong Cuong and Minister Kiren Rijiju agreed that the two countries need to further promote cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment, commensurate with the potential of the two countries as well as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; at the same time, further expand cooperation in defense, security, education, science and technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Minister Kiren Rijiju suggested that the two sides actively implement approved defense cooperation projects within the framework of India's $500 million credit package for Vietnam and strengthen cooperation within the framework of the agreement on nuclear energy cooperation for peaceful purposes between the two countries.
Minister Kiren Rijiju thanked Vietnam for its decision to join the Disaster Resilience Infrastructure Alliance (CDRI) and is completing the official procedures to join the International Solar Energy Alliance (ISA).
