President Quang visits Indian state of Bihar
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| President Tran Dai Quang meets with Prem Kumar, Minister of Agriculture in the Government of Bihar (L). |
President Quang expressed his delight visiting Bihar state, one of the most sacred places of Buddhism while meeting with Minister of Agriculture in the Government of Bihar Prem Kumar.
Both nations have maintained long-standing relations in culture and religion, providing a foundation for the intensive cultural and people-to-people exchange and the close-knit friendship between the two countries, Quang told his host.
He expressed his belief that the Bihar administration and people will continue preserving the beautiful values of Buddhism and offering favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens and Buddhist monks and followers.
The visiting leader also asked Bihar state to step up cooperation with Vietnamese localities in the fields of its strength.
In reply, Minister Prem Kumar said the India visit by President Quang demonstrates Vietnam’s recognition of great importance on cultural and religious links with India.
Bihar will create optimal conditions and ensure security and safety for the Vietnamese to visit Bodh Gaya, he noted, displaying his wish for stronger spiritual tourism cooperation with Vietnam.
He also expressed his impression with the Southeast Asian nation’s achievements in diverse realms, including agriculture. As one of the Indian states with the biggest agricultural production, especially rice and corn, Bihar desires to cooperate with Vietnamese localities in this field.
The same day, President Quang, his delegation and the Vietnamese delegation visited Viet Nam Phat Quoc tu (Vietnam Bouddha Bhumi Vihara), the first Vietnamese temple in Bodh Gaya. The leader praised the monks of the pagoda for helping to popularise the values of Vietnamese Buddhism’s culture in Bodh Gaya, the biggest Buddhist centre in India.
President Quang's first lady Nguyen Thi Hien, visited the Siddhartha Compassionate School in Bodh Gaya.
The Vietnamese leader and his entourage came to Bihar state before their arrival in New Delhi later the same day.
They were welcomed at Palam military airport in New Delhi by India’s Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish, representatives of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh, Vietnamese Embassy staff.
The visit takes place at a time when Vietnam – India traditional friendship and all-around cooperation have been growing steadily, especially since the their bilateral strategic partnership was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.
It signifies Vietnam’s unwavering external policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations, including the friendship with India.
