Vietnam and India: Celebrating 50 Years of Strategic Partnership

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The Enduring Friendship Between Vietnam and India: A Historical Overview

Vietnam and India share a profound and enduring friendship, rooted in a shared history of mutual respect and cooperation. This bond was formally established by two visionary leaders, President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. On October 17, 1954, Prime Minister Nehru visited Vietnam shortly after the liberation of Hanoi, and President Ho Chi Minh reciprocated with a friendship visit to India in February 1958. These pivotal moments laid the foundation for a relationship that has weathered the test of time.

Through the ebb and flow of history, the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India has been consistently nurtured, strengthened, and elevated by successive generations of leaders and citizens from both nations. This relationship has flourished across various domains, reflecting the shared interests and values of both countries.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (January 7, 1972 – January 7, 2022) and the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016–2021), the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) collaborated with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association to organize a virtual photo exhibition titled “Vietnam – India: 50 Years of Cooperation.”

The exhibition features 50 meticulously curated black-and-white and color archival photographs from the VNA, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association. These images vividly capture the deepening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and India.

The black-and-white photographs from the VNA archive highlight poignant moments, including President Ho Chi Minh’s warm reception of Prime Minister Nehru during his 1954 visit to Vietnam, and the presence of President Prasad and Prime Minister Nehru at New Delhi Airport to welcome President Ho Chi Minh during his 1958 visit. These images also depict the enthusiastic welcome extended to President Prasad by the people of Hanoi during his 1959 visit to Vietnam.

The color photographs showcase significant diplomatic milestones, such as mutual visits by high-ranking leaders during Vietnam and India’s comprehensive reform periods. Notable events include the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Framework of Comprehensive Cooperation between Vietnam and India as they entered the 21st century, and the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and subsequently to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The photographs also document Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s participation in the sixth session of the 14th National Assembly of Vietnam, as well as collaborative efforts in economic, defense, and people-to-people diplomacy. Additionally, they highlight mutual support during the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amidst the dynamic integration of both nations and their vast potential, mutual understanding and trust remain the cornerstone of the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This partnership continues to grow stronger, deeper, and more comprehensive, benefiting the peoples of both countries and contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia and beyond.

VNA/VNP
President Ho Chi Minh warmly receives Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during his friendship visit to Vietnam on October 17, 1954. Photo: VNA
President Ho Chi Minh receives Indian Deputy Prime Minister Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in Hanoi on September 12, 1957. Photo: VNA
The people of New Delhi warmly welcome President Ho Chi Minh upon his arrival for a friendship visit to India from February 5–14, 1958. Photo: VNA
President Ho Chi Minh meets with Indian President Rajendra Prasad on February 5, 1958, during his friendship visit to India. Photo: VNA
President Ho Chi Minh visits the Qutb Minar in New Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra during his friendship visit to India in February 1958. Photo: VNA
Indian President Rajendra Prasad and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru welcome President Ho Chi Minh at New Delhi Airport during his friendship visit to India from February 5–14, 1958. Photo: VNA Archive
President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sign the Vietnam-India Joint Statement in New Delhi on February 7, 1958. Photo: VNA Archive
The people of Hanoi warmly welcome Indian President Rajendra Prasad during his friendship visit to Vietnam on March 22, 1959. Photo: VNA
President Ho Chi Minh and Indian President Rajendra Prasad visit the Hanoi Tool Manufacturing Factory No.1 on March 24, 1959. Photo: VNA
Prime Minister Pham Van Dong holds talks with his Indian counterpart Morarji Desai in New Delhi on February 24, 1978, during his official friendship visit to India. Photo: The Trung/VNA
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi hosts a state banquet in honor of Party General Secretary Le Duan on September 21, 1984, during his official visit to India. Photo: Minh Dao/VNA
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi welcomes Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh, who paid an official friendship visit to India and attended the 39th anniversary of Republic Day from January 23–28, 1989. Photo: Xuan Lam/VNA
President Le Duc Anh receives Indian Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao during his official friendship visit to Vietnam in Hanoi on September 6, 1994. Photo: Minh Dao/VNA
Indian Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda holds talks with Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet during his official friendship visit to India from March 7–9, 1997. Photo: Minh Dao/VNA
President Tran Duc Luong meets with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi on December 1, 1999. Photo: Trong Nghiep/VNA
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai holds talks in Hanoi on January 8, 2001, with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his official friendship visit to Vietnam. Photo: The Thuan/VNA
Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee witness the signing of the “Joint Declaration between Vietnam and India on Comprehensive Cooperation Framework for the Twenty-first Century” in New Delhi on May 1, 2003. Photo: Xuan Tuan/VNA
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh welcomes and holds talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in New Delhi on July 6, 2007, during his official visit to India. Photo: Duc Tam/VNA
President Nguyen Minh Triet welcomes and holds talks with Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in Hanoi on November 27, 2008, during her official visit to Vietnam. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh welcomes and holds talks with President Truong Tan Sang in New Delhi on October 12, 2011, during his state-level visit to India. Photo: Nguyen Khang/VNA
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh welcomes Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his official visit to India in New Delhi on November 20, 2013. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visits the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (Raj Ghat) in New Delhi on November 20, 2013. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
President Truong Tan Sang welcomes Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in Hanoi on September 15, 2014, during his state-level visit to Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Khang/VNA
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visits the Cu Chi tunnel relic site in Ho Chi Minh City on September 17, 2014. Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, his entourage, and Vietnamese Buddhist monks gather under a Bodhi tree at Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi on September 16, 2014, during his state-level visit to Vietnam. The Bodhi tree was a gift from Indian President Rajendra Prasad to President Ho Chi Minh during his 1959 visit to Vietnam. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes and holds talks in New Delhi on October 28, 2014, with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his official visit to India. Photo: Duc Tam/VNA
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung receives Speaker of the Lower House of India’s Parliament Sumitra Mahajan in Hanoi on March 28, 2015, during her attendance at the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132). Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Hanoi on September 3, 2016, during his official visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold talks on September 3, 2016, during the latter’s official visit to Vietnam. Both sides agreed to elevate bilateral ties from a “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi feed fish in Uncle Ho’s pond at the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Compound in Hanoi on September 3, 2016. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi on September 3, 2016. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Speaker of the Lower House of India’s Parliament Sumitra Mahajan hold talks in New Delhi on December 9, 2016. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong hosts a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on November 20, 2018, for Indian President Ram Nath Kovind during his state visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind addresses the 6th session of the 14th National Assembly of Vietnam in Hanoi on November 20, 2018, as part of his state-level visit. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu attends an inaugural ceremony in Hanoi on May 11, 2019, for new India-funded Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camps in Vietnam. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue holds talks with Speaker of the Lok Sabha (House of Representatives) of India Om Birla in New Delhi on December 16, 2021, during his official visit to India. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue receives a token of 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from India’s Bharat Biotech in New Delhi on December 16, 2021, as gifts to the Vietnamese people. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland (UK), on November 2, 2021. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Artists from the Sangeet Natak Academy of India perform a classical dance in the central city of Da Nang, Vietnam, on March 11, 2014. Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNA
Performance of Indian folk dance during “Indian Festive Days” in Ho Chi Minh City on March 13, 2014. Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA
Vietnam Maritime Police and the Indian Coast Guard conduct a joint exercise in Bengal Bay, India, on October 4, 2018. Photo: VNA
Destroyer INS Rana of the Indian Navy anchors at Sai Gon Port in Ho Chi Minh City on September 27, 2018, beginning a four-day friendship visit to Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA
Vietnamese and Indian experts share experiences in addressing potential situations during peacekeeping operations at United Nations missions during a joint exercise in Hanoi on July 8, 2019. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh participates in a ceremony in New Delhi on February 12, 2020, to launch Vietjet’s direct routes connecting major cities of Vietnam and India. Photo: Huy Le/VNA
Vietnamese monks and Buddhist followers in Ho Chi Minh City organize candle lighting and special prayers for Indian peers who have suffered immense losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Xuan Khu/VNA
Vietnamese and Indian delegates at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival in Hanoi on September 19, 2011. Photo: The Vietnam-India Friendship Association
Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh receives the Indian delegation to the 10th Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival in Hanoi on August 12, 2019. Photo: The Vietnam-India Friendship Association
The Vietnam-India Friendship Association presents 100,000 medical masks to the Indian people to support their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Danh Lam/VNA
A collective Yoga performance takes place in the central coastal city of Da Nang on June 30, 2019, in celebration of International Yoga Day. Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNA
The Embassy of India organizes the 6th International Day of Yoga at Ha Long City on June 21, 2020.
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