HCM CITY — A week of cultural events has been held in HCM City to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Việt Nam and India and the 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership.

The Việt Nam-India Friendship Week that wrapped up on Friday at the Youth Culture House also featured a photo exhibition on the co-operation in various spheres between the two countries over the past decades.

The event was organised jointly by the consulate general of India in HCM City, the city’s Department of External Relations and the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations.

The People’s Committee on Tuesday (January 10) held a ceremony at the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations Hall to mark the milestones in the relationship between the two countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee, Huỳnh Cách Mạng, said the Việt Nam – India friendship is rooted in age-old interactions between the two cultures and has lasted thousands of years.

The peoples of the two countries had supported each other during their struggles for independence as well as in the process of their reconstruction and nation-building, he said.

As of the end of last year India had 49 projects with a total investment of US$55 million in the city.

Last year trade between the city and India increased by 10 per cent.

Addressing the event, Indian consul general Smita Pant expressed great satisfaction over the growing bilateral ties.

She said Việt Nam-India relations are multi-faceted and built on a firm foundation of close cultural, historical and civilisational links.

This year, as the two countries commemorate anniversaries of the milestones in their relations, the Indian consulate plans to work closely with the city authorities, friendship organisations and universities to organise numerous events including friendship walks, exhibitions highlighting the historical aspects of the relations, cultural shows, cuisine festivals and tourism conferences. — VNS