Embassy of India

Hanoi, Vietnam

His Excellency Nguyen Minh Vu, Standing Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam

His Excellency Lt. General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Vietnam People’s Army

His Excellency Truong Quang Hoai Nam, Vice Chairman of the External Relation Commission of the Party Central Committee

His Excellency Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health of Vietnam

Her Excellency Madam Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council and General Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and India’s Padma Shri Awardee

Leaders and officials of various Provinces and Central Government Departments of Vietnam present here today

Fellow Ambassadors and colleagues from the diplomatic corps,

Members of the armed forces of Vietnam and other friendly countries,

Fellow Indian citizens living and working in Vietnam,

Friends of India in Vietnam,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen!

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On behalf of my wife Manu and all members of the Embassy of India family, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all today to celebrate the Independence Day of India.

I would also like to recognize the presence of my mother who is in Vietnam with us today. 

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It is indeed a memorable occasion for us.

I remember our last Independence Day reception on the 15^th of August three years ago, which was just a couple of weeks after we had arrived in Hanoi.

Then came a long gap of two years as COVID-19 brought the whole world to a halt.

We are happy that three years later, just as we prepare to depart from Hanoi, we are again getting the chance to celebrate this day with you all.

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Today’s celebrations are special for two important reasons.

As you know, this is the 75^th anniversary of our Independence Day.

At the same time, this year is the 50^th anniversary of our diplomatic relations with Vietnam.  

Milestones like these are always important occasions when we reflect back on the journey traversed so far and make resolves for the future.

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For India, the last 75 years have been an extraordinary journey from the throes of impoverishment to become a modern, prosperous nation today, playing an increasingly important role in the progress of humanity and offering solutions to global challenges. The scale of India’s transformation is creating capabilities and generating opportunities for our partners, including Vietnam.  

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And for India-Vietnam relations, the last fifty years have been a remarkable journey of togetherness. They have drawn inspiration from our millennia old civilizational connection and a shared history of struggle for independence. They have always supported each other in overcoming adversities and in their pursuits of national development.  

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As I complete my tenure as the Ambassador of India to Vietnam, I look back with satisfaction at the many forward strides our relations have taken in the last three years.

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Despite the disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has become more enriched by frequent high-level exchanges, deeper economic and development partnership, increasingly robust defence and security cooperation, and growing cultural and people-to-people contacts.

Our mutual assistance in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic showcased our long tradition of standing with each other during difficult times.

Today, Vietnam is an indispensable part of India’s regional and global worldview. Our growing cooperation is a factor of stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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As we celebrate India’s Independence Day today, it is also the time for us to cherish our close friendship with Vietnam and reaffirm our commitment to take our special relationship to newer heights.  

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Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, n this joyous occasion, please join me in proposing a toast:

• To the prosperity and happiness of the peoples of India and Vietnam, and
• To the good health and success of the leaders of our countries; And,
• To the good health and success of all the distinguished guests gathered here today.

Cam On! Dhanyavad! Thank you very much!

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