India, Vietnam discuss minority issues

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) A seven-Member Vietnamese delegation led by Mr Nguyen Thanh Xuan called on the National Commission for Minorities and discussed issues of mutual interests.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chairperson of the Commission Mohamed Shafi Qureshi drew attention to India's secular ethos, and cultural, ethnic and religious diversity sustained by values of peaceful co-existence and communal harmony.

Mr Nguyen Thanh Xuan gave an account of the religious policy in Vietnam and highlighted the similarities between the two countries on equality of rights and secularism. He also mentioned about the institutional mechanism of Religious Committees in his country to cater to the religious needs of the people.

The two delegations had wide ranging discussions. The Commission's experiences in guarding the rights and interests of religious minorities and facilitating their socio-economic development were shared.

The grievance redressal mechanism in place and its efficacy in securing justice and the rights of the minorities in the country also formed part of the discussions. Strengthening of human bonds and relations between India and Vietnam despite wide disparities in languages, culture and religion through such interactions were emphasized by both countries. Both the sides underlined the need to strengthen ties between the two countries.

UNI NAZ BDP AS1855