(VNF) - The Vietnam-India Friendship Association (VIFA) held its third Congress on January 6^th to pass its action plan for the 2016-2021 term, in the presence of Mr. Truong Minh Tuan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Information and Communications; Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO)’s Vice Chairman cum General Secretary Don Tuan Phong.

At the third Congress of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association on Jan. 6^th.

Participants worked out an action plan for the 2016-2021 term and reviewed their operations in the past period.

The activities of the VIFA at all levels have made important contributions to deepening the traditional solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and India as well as enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

In the 2016-2021 period, the VIFA plans to continue renewing operations and developing new partners to accelerate activities for peace, solidarity, friendship and cooperation and boost socio-economic development in Vietnam as well as focusing on introducing opportunities to study in India for Vietnamese students and investment opportunities for the two countries’ businesses.

Delegates to the congress elected an executive board with 53 members. Mr. Truong Minh Tuan, Minister of Information and Communications, was elected as Chairman of the Association.

The VUFO Vice Chairman cum General Secretary Don Tuan Phong lauded the VIFA’s contributions to Vietnam-India relations.

Addressing the Congress, the VUFO Vice Chairman cum General Secretary Don Tuan Phong emphasized the significance of the long-lasting friendship between Vietnam and India, which is fostered by generations of leaders, and the people of both countries.

He also lauded the VIFA’s contributions to Vietnam-India relations. He congratulated the Congress, records the contribution of VIFA and contributed ideas for promoting people’s foreign activities between the two countries in the near future.

He said he hopes in the future, the Association will persify its operation forms to ultilise cooperation potential between the two countries, promote bilateral economic, cultural, tourism and science-technology collaboration.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Government, Vice Chairman cum General Secretary Don Tuan Phong presented a Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to the VIFA.

He also presented three “For peace and friendship of nations” insignias and 19 merit certificates of VUFO to inpiduals and organizations in recognition of their dedicated service to promoting provincial people-to-people external affairs activities.

VUFO Vice Chairman cum General Secretary Don Tuan Phong presented a Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to the VIFA.

On the same evening, the VIFA also held a ceremony to mark the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India (January 7^th, 1972 –2017) and 10^th anniversary of the strategic partnership between two nations (July 6^th, 2007 – 2017) with the presence of Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish.

Vietnam and India established diplomatic relations on January 7^th, 1972. Over 45 years, the bilateral relations between the countries have been constantly consolidated and developed in all the areas, especially, economic and trade cooperation.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in September 2016, he and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc took the historic step to elevate the relationship to that of ‘Strategic Comprehensive Partnership’, a clear indication of the importance the two countries place on their relationship of long-standing traditional friendship./.

Minh Phuong