Mr Hung expressed his delight at the fine development of the time-honoured friendship and cooperation in various fields such as politics, economics, culture and education especially when bilateral relations with India were raised to a strategic partnership.

Once the free trade agreement between the two countries is signed, bilateral trade ties will be strengthened in line with their potential, said Mr Hung.

Mrs Preneet Kaur congratulated Vietnam on its significant achievements in socio-economic development and its role as ASEAN Chair.

She said she hoped that through the 43^rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-43) and the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings with partners, cooperation between Vietnam and India as well as between India and ASEAN will grow strongly.

India is keen to build its culture centre in Vietnam to strengthen the friendship between the two countries, Mrs Preneet Kaur added.

Deputy PM Hung also voiced his support for the establishment of this centre in the future.