Hanoi (VNA) - President To Lam received Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya in Hanoi on June 26.

Lam expressed his confidence that under the leadership of the new government, India will continue to develop strongly, playing an increasingly prominent role in both international and regional arenas.

He said Vietnam and India share a strong traditional friendship, which has been nurtured by the leaders and people of both countries over many decades and has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Expressing his pleasure at witnessing remarkable advancements in bilateral relations, the State leader said he is confident that the two countries can soon achieve a trade turnover of 20 billion USD. He welcomed large Indian corporations to invest in Vietnam in such strategic sectors as oil and gas, infrastructure, seaports, and emerging fields like digital transformation, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, and energy transition. He encouraged both countries to leverage their cultural, religious, and historical ties to boost tourism collaboration and people-to-people exchanges.

Lam requested the diplomat continue promoting India's support for Vietnam through scholarship programmes and preferential credit and non-refundable aid packages.

Underscoring the enduring, time-tested relationship between Vietnam and India, Arya pledged his commitment to further strengthening the bilateral relations via arranging high-level visits and contacts in the near future and fostering collaboration in defence, economy-trade, science-technology, and culture-tourism.

The diplomat also talked about India's effective cooperation with various Vietnamese agencies and localities through Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), a project to renovate and restore Cham towers within the My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam province, and the organisation of International Yoga Day in Vietnam.

Discussing regional and international issues, President Lam recommended that the two countries continue to closely coordinate at multilateral forums, contributing to consolidating peace, stability, and development in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean. He said he appreciates India’s implementation of its “act east” policy through practical and specific cooperation activities with ASEAN countries, including Vietnam.

Agreeing with the leader, Arya said he wishes to strengthen cooperation and mutual support between the two countries amid✤sꦐt the current complex global situation./.