(VOV) – State President Truong Tan Sang has hailed the visit to Vietnam by Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari saying that the visit aims to bring the bilateral relations to a new height after 40 years of diplomatic relations.

At a reception to Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Tuesday in Hanoi, State President Truong Tan Sang said Vietnam – India relations have seen much progress after 5 years since the strategic partnership was established. He added the two sides should further boost the exchange of senior delegations and different ministries and sectors and people exchanges to promote bilateral ties in politics, economics and trade. Mr. Sang agreed to soon build the Indian Cultural center in Vietnam and thanked for India’s objective point of view on the East Sea issues. He said Vietnam is ready to talk with other countries on this issue and resolve the East Sea disputes based on international laws. Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari said India considers Vietnam a main pillar in its East oriented policy adding that the relations between the two countries will help boost peace in the region and the world.

Earlier, Vice President Hamid Ansari met his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Thi Doan. The two sides expressed their pleasure about the success of Vietnam – India Friendship year 2012 and their cooperation to successfully organize many meaningful activities which help foster bilateral ties. Ms. Nguyen Thi Doan affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to strategic partnership with India especially its role and contribution to peace in the region and the world. The two sides also agreed to cooperate in regional and international forums such non-aligned movement forum, ASEAN Regional Forum, Mekong – Ganga Cooperation. The two leaders witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of micro, small and medium enterprises.