Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary to the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Wednesday.
Mukherjee extended a warm welcome to Trong and said India and Vietnam relations are characterized by a unique, long standing trust and mutual understanding.
He said the close and personal friendship between the founding fathers of the two nations, Prime Minister Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh and subsequent generations of leaders have nurtured and strengthened relations over the years.
The President said Vietnam is a country that all Indians hold in great respect and admiration. He said the relationship is based on convergence of interests and views on global and regional issues. He thanked Vietnam for its unwavering support for India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
Mukherjee said the visit of Trong provided an excellent opportunity to identify areas to expand the strategic partnership and take it to greater heights.
Trong warmly reciprocated the sentiments expressed by the President. He said the Vietnamese people greatly value the support extended by India during the struggle for independence and in the process of national development.
He said that given the potential, the level of economic and trade cooperation is still modest. He expressed the hope that his visit will further deepen and add substance to the strategic partnership.