Vietnamese President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.
The visiting leader was warmly received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Children dressed in traditional attire, holding the Vietnamese national flag alongside the Indian tricolour, also greeted him at the ceremony.
President To Lam arrived in India on Tuesday, beginning his visit in Gaya, where he was welcomed by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. He later visited the Mahabodhi Temple to offer prayers before travelling to New Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that President To Lam’s visit to India will strengthen bilateral ties.
“Chao mung, Excellency! General Secretary, President of Vietnam, Mr To Lam, has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. He was accorded a warm welcome and received by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
“This year, we are marking the milestone of 10 years of India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit will further strengthen our multifaceted and robust bilateral relations,” he added.
Ahead of the formal engagements, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on President To Lam.
“NSA Shri Ajit Doval called on General Secretary, President Mr To Lam of Vietnam. They exchanged views on strengthening the multifaceted, comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Mr To Lam looked forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the engagements scheduled over the next two days,” Jaiswal said.
To Lam, also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will be in India till May 7. This is his first visit to India after being elected as the Vietnam President last month.
During his stay, President To Lam is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with PM Modi, covering bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. He will also meet President Murmu and other senior Indian leaders.
The Vietnamese leader will also visit Mumbai. His itinerary includes a visit to the National Stock Exchange, meetings with Maharashtra Chief Minister and Governor, and participation in a business forum.
(With IANS inputs)
