Jewel of India: The Taj Mahal, built in Agra city between 1631 and 1648 by orders of Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, has been described in the UNESCO World Heritage List as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". — Photo tourismtheworld.com

On India's 66th Independence Day, Ambassador to Viet Nam Ranjit Rae reflects on an ancient friendship

India's friendship with Viet Nam dates back to ancient times, beginning with the great religious and spiritual interactions between our civilisations which continue to influence our way of life even today. A strong emotional bond of support and sympathy emerged between our peoples during our respective struggles for freedom. The close personal friendship between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh provided a solid political foundation to our relations.

The challenges of development after independence created new avenues for co-operation and mutual assistance between India and Viet Nam. Our bilateral relations today are marked by a high level of trust, friendship and convergence of views on a range of issues. Last year, we celebrated the 5th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations as the Year of Friendship.

So far this year, we had the successful visits of the Vice President of India, the Minister for Shipping and the Minister for Tourism to Viet Nam. We have received the visits of the Party Secretary of HCM City, the Vice President of the National Assembly, the Minister of Information and Communications and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in India. We are preparing for further exchanges this year.

Bilateral trade has grown by 47 per cent this year. Indian companies are looking to expand existing operations and start new ventures in Viet Nam. Both governments are now in the process of establishing new dialogue mechanisms and institutional frameworks to expand economic co-operation.

India's development co-operation with Viet Nam, which includes concessional credit, grant assistance and capacity building programmes, dates back to the 1970s and continues to be an important element of our strategic partnership. Starting this year, the Indian government has formally launched an annual grant assistance programme to fund small-scale, short gestation projects that would directly benefit small communities in various parts of Viet Nam.

Prospects are equally bright for defence and security co-operation. Armed forces of both our countries continue to benefit from each other's expertise.

Later this year, we hope to open the Indian Culture Centre in Ha Noi that will bring the great cultural diversity of India to the Vietnamese people. Both countries are also looking at the restoration and preservation of historical monuments. Co-operation in education is an emerging area with huge potential.

Both countries are now working on ways to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges. We are hopeful that direct flight connectivity, which would reduce travel time to about four hours, will start this year. This would help people in both countries to travel, understand, appreciate and learn from each other.

As I complete my tenure of a little over three years and prepare to leave for my next assignment, I feel greatly encouraged by the future prospects of India-Viet Nam relations. I have no doubt that this strategic partnership will move to ever higher trajectories in the years to come. My tenure here has been one of great personal satisfactions and I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all friends who have helped me immensely during this period. Viet Nam will always remain close to my heart.

A long time ago, the great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore described Viet Nam as the land "where the heart of India had once beaten under a sunny sky on this shore". No one can describe the sentiments of the Indian people better. On this 66th anniversary of India's independence, we wish Viet Nam well. — VNS