Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi agreed to lift bilateral cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange to a new height during their working session in New Delhi on Dec. 17.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung meets Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi. Photo: VNA

According to Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Hung told his host that during talks between National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and leaders of the Indian House of Representatives and Upper House, both sides affirmed the importance of culture in bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

He suggested the two sides jointly hold the Vietnam Culture Week in India and India Culture Week in Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year, as well as boost collaboration in archeology, restoration of cultural heritages and cinema.

Vietnam stays ready to welcome Bollywood filmmakers to the country to screen well-known destinations, he said. He also proposed considering the organisation of more tourism promotion seminars and cultural projects.

Lekhi, for her part, said the two cultural ministries should continue raising public awareness, especially among young generations, about cultural tradition and value of the two nations.

India is willing to assist Vietnam in preserving and restoring cultural heritages and museums, she said, adding that in early 2022, a delegation of Indian experts will travel to Vietnam to survey archeological projects as committed.

At the meeting with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi. Photo: VNA

She agreed with Hung’s proposal about holding cultural-art programmes in each country on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year. She also informed that India is accelerating internal procedures to soon sign the Protocol on cultural exchange for the 2022-2025 period.

The same day, Minister Hung held separate receptions and working sessions with leaders of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship and the India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee in West Bangal.

Both sides pledged to regularly share information and experience in holding people-to-people diplomacy activities, and enhance coordination between Vietnam and India’s friendship associations.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and Indian Minister of State for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in marine science and ecological system during their working session.

They vowed to establish a joint working group to build annual plans for the MoU implementation.

On the same day, a photo exhibition, highlighting 50 years of the Vietnam-India diplomatic relations, opened as part of the ongoing official visit of NA Chairman Hue to India.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (centre, first row) at the exhibition. Photo: VNA

Hue met leaders of India-Vietnam friendship associations in New Delhi on Dec. 17.

At the event, Secretary General of the India – Vietnam Solidarity Committee Kusum Jain congratulated Vietnam on becoming a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2021-2025 period, saying that Vietnam will play a more important role in policy planning regarding education, science and culture.

Jain said India – Vietnam friendship associations have outlined practical activities marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

She wished that Vietnam and India would pay further attention to promoting people-to-people exchange and cooperation in culture and arts. She believed that Vietnam – India ties not only bring practical benefits to the two countries but also the South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Indian delegates present books to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Photo: VNA

Chairman of the India – Vietnam Friendship Association K.L. Malhotra, for his part, expressed his admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and stressed that Vietnam is a brave and great country and will reap successes.

Hue affirmed that Vietnam always remembers India’s support for its fight against invaders in the past. He wished that Indian organisations, communities and friends will stand side by side together and further step up people-to-people exchange between the two nations.

Vietnam is performing its comprehensive foreign policy, including the Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy, with people-to-people diplomacy becoming an important pillar.

The Vietnamese leader believed that people-to-people exchange between the two countries will further prosper, becoming one of the five significant pillars of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue presents the Friendship Order to United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra and first-class Labour Order to Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau. Photo: VNA

On the occasion, Hue presented the Friendship Order to United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra and first-class Labour Order to Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau.

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