Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today held talks with visiting Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and discussed issues such as tourism and better connectivity.
An agreement has been reached for starting air services between Bodh Gaya and Vietnam's capital Hanoi, an official release said.
There were also talks of expanding trade network in the field of rice and fishery, the release quoting the CM said.
Referring to age-old trade relations between the two countries, Manjhi said, "Champa variety of rice had once gone from Bhagalpur to Vietnam where research took place... Vietnam has today become third largest rice exporting country."
The two sides also talked about improving facilities for a large number of tourists coming from Vietnam to the famous Buddhist centre of Bodh Gaya.
The Vietnam Prime Minister, heading a team from his country that included three ministers, extended invitation to Manjhi to visit his country which the Chief Minister accepted.
The Vietnam PM emphasised on enhancing cooperation between the two countries and stressed the need for arranging direct flight facility for this, the release said.
Talks on Nalanda University were also held, it added.
Earlier, Manjhi welcomed Vietnam Prime Minister and his wife Tran Khanh Kiem on their reaching Bodh Gaya.
