President Phuc suggests reopening Vietnam-India direct air routes soon
Vietnam and India should resume direct air routes linking their major cities to promote tourism and trade, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the suggestion at a reception for Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha (the lower house) Om Birla in Hanoi on April 19.
State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed the Indian lower house speaker's visit to Vietnam amid the two countries preparing to organize a string of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
President Phuc said Vietnam is proud to have India as a good and loyal friend, while recalling his good memories on the land and nation of India during his visit in 2018.
Phuc highlighted India as a global power, the world’s sixth largest economy with leading science-technology, while saying Vietnam is a country with dynamic development, deep integration and wide opening. These are favourable factors to foster the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides in the time to come, he added.
Birla expressed his strong impression at the significant contributions by President Phuc to the development of the Vietnam-India partnership.
He noted that 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations and the 75th Independence Day of India, which is a good chance for India to reevaluate its national interests and commitments to Indian people on developing the country in a more comprehensive manner.
Regarding the foundation of the sound relationship between the two countries, the Indian lower house speaker expressed his hope that the two countries will expand cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, education, training, security and defence.
He said he believes that the both nations will always offer mutual support in responding to global challenges and grow together. On the occasion, Birla thanked Vietnam for assisting India in the COVID-19 fight.
The Vietnamese State leader suggested that Vietnam and India should hold more cultural and people-to-people exchange activities, while resuming the aviation connection initiative. India will continue to help Vietnam in restoring the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site.
Both sides should intensify delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels, while working closely together to organise activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, including art performances in their capital cities, Phuc said.
Besides defence-security, the Vietnamese State leader said that both sides should foster ties in cyber security, intelligence, fights against terrorism and transnational crime, non-traditional security issues, and mutual assistance in civil matters.
Given that the total investment value of Indian businesses in Vietnam worth US$1 billion with more than 300 projects, is still modest, Phuc proposed that India continue to offer favourable conditions for Indian firms to invest in Vietnam.
He said that many Vietnamese people are interested in practising Yoga and making tours to explore Buddhism in India, therefore, the two sides should beef up cooperation in tourism as they have reached mutual recognition of each other’s vaccine passport..
On the occasion, President Phuc thanked India for supporting the restoration of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site in Quang Nam.
He showed his elation at the close coordination and strong mutual support at international and regional forums as well as UN agencies and the Non-Aligned Movement, especially in areas of shared concern such as maritime security, adherence to international law and the promotion of the observance of the UN Charter.
President Phuc noted appreciation for the Vietnam-India collaboration at the UN Security Council, especially in 2021 when both performed the role as non-permanent member of the council.
