Hanoi (VNA) – The Indian Embassy inVietnam held a ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the Indian IndependenceDay (August 15, 1947 - 2023) in Hanoi on August 16.

Offering congratulations to the IndianGovernment and people on the anniversary, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui ThanhSon said India has made miraculous development strides to become the world's fifth largest economy and one of the powerful countries in terms of military,science - technique, information technology, biology, and medicine. It is alsoincreasingly affirming its major role in the international arena.

He also congratulated India on its achievements in internal and external relations, including its successful presidency of G20 and theShanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023.

The minister stressed that boasting along-standing friendship, Vietnam and India have assisted each other duringtrying times in history.

In recent years, their comprehensive strategicpartnership has been growing unceasingly in all aspects. Particularly, duringthe phone talks on April 15, 2022, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong andIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on many major orientations for thecountries’ relations.

Son said he believes Vietnam and India, whichshare many viewpoints and strategic interests, will further develop theircomprehensive strategic partnership so as to bring about practical benefits tothe two countries' people while contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, anddevelopment in Asia-Pacific and the world at large.

In his remarks, Indian Ambassador Sandeep Aryanoted the year 2023 is an important milestone on his country’s path of growth,development and progress as well as in its global contributions, especially itsrole as the G20 President.

The Indian Government and people have beenexerting efforts to help with peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,preside over the SCO, and implement the recently upgraded India - ASEAN comprehensivestrategic partnership, he went on.

He affirmed that Vietnam is a special partnerof India, and the solidarity, mutual trust and cooperation between the twocountries are always solid and reinforced.

The diplomat voiced his belief that with thetwo countries’ similar approaches to international relations and their people's profound sentiment, the bilateral friendship will develop even more stronglyand remain a pillar of support for each other./.