India-Vietnam partnership to benefit Asia, world: Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Sep 2 Ahead of his departure on Friday to Vietnam on a bilateral visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the southeast Asian nation as "friendly", India's relationship with which will benefit Asia and the whole world.

"Greetings to the people of Vietnam on their National Day. Vietnam is a friendly nation with whom we cherish our relationship," Modi said in a series of Facebook posts.

Stating that he would be reaching Hanoi on Friday evening, the Prime Minister said his government attached a high priority to bilateral relations with Vietnam.

This will be the first prime ministerial visit from India to Vietnam in 15 years since the visit of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2001.

"The India-Vietnam partnership will benefit Asia and the rest of the world," Modi stated.

"During the visit, I will hold extensive discussions with Prime Minister Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc. We will review complete spectrum of our bilateral relationship."

Modi said that he would also meet Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, and National Assembly of Vietnam's Chairperson Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

"We wish to forge a strong economic relationship with Vietnam that can mutually benefit our citizens," he said.

"Strengthening the people-to-people ties will also be an my endeavour during the Vietnam visit."

During the visit, Modi will pay homage to Ho Chi Minh, whom he described as "one of 20th century's tallest leaders".

From Vietnam, the Prime Minister will proceed to Hangzhou in China on Saturday evening to attend this year's G-20 Summit to be held on September 4-5.

"During the G-20 Summit, I will have an opportunity to engage with other world leaders on pressing international priorities and challenges," he said.

"We will discuss putting the global economy on the track of sustainable, steady growth and responding to emerging and entrenched social, security and economic challenges."

Modi said that India would "engage constructively on all the issues before us and work towards finding solutions and taking forward the agenda for a robust, inclusive and sustainable international economic order that uplifts the socio-economic conditions of people across the world, especially those who need it most in developing countries".

IANS