Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E.Ahamed made the statement at a meeting in HCM City on January 5 to mark the 40^th anniversary of Vietnam-India diplomatic ties and the 5^th anniversary of the Vietnam-India strategic partnership.

He said the traditional long-lasting friendship between the two countries founded by late President Ho Chi Minh and late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has become a valuable asset for both peoples.

Over the past 40 years, the friendly relationship and multi-faceted cooperation between India and Vietnam have developed strongly in all fields, including politics, national defence, security, investment, trade, culture, tourism and human resource development. Two-way trade value increased by 14 times over 10 years and by more than 48 percent in the first 10 months of 2011. It is estimated to total US$3.5 billion in 2011.

Huynh Thanh Lap, President of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, expressed his hope that the strategic partnership between Vietnam and India in general and between Ho Chi Minh City and Indian localities in particular will further develop based on the firm foundation of mutual trust and traditional ties.

On the same day, Chairman of the City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan met with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E.Ahamed.

Quan hoped that the fine development of diplomatic ties and bilateral trade cooperation between the two countries, and between HCM City and Indian localities, will be further strengthened and that a direct air route between HCM City and Bombay will open soon.

E.Ahamed said that he invited Secretary of the City Party’s Committee Le Thanh Hai to visit India to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries and between their localities in line with their potential.