Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Pranay Verma visits Yen Bai province

As part of the commemorative events to mark the 152nd Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, 75th anniversary year of India’s Independence and 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Viet Nam, the Embassy of India in coordination with the People’s Committee of Yen Bai Province organized a Tree Planting Ceremony in Yen Bai on October 2, 2021. A total of 125 Giang Huong trees (Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurs) were planted to mark the 75 years of Indian Independence and 50 years of India-Viet Nam diplomatic relations.

At the ceremony. (Photo: Indian Embassy in Viet Nam)

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Viet Nam, H.E. Mr. Nguyen The Phuoc, Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Yen Bai Province, dignitaries of People’s Committee and the Indian business community in Yen Bai.

In his remarks, Ambassador Pranay Verma described the tree plantation as a long-lasting symbol of age-old friendship between India and Viet Nam and the collaboration between the two countries for protection of environment. He noted that the ceremony gained further significance as it took place on the 152nd birth anniversary of India’s “Father of the Nation” and the apostle of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi. The day is also designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-violence.

The ambassador noted that the tress planted today also symbolized Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of harmony with nature that is fundamental to addressing today’s challenges of climate change and environmental degradation and to building a sustainable future for our children. He hoped that these 125 trees will contribute to Government of Viet Nam’s “Green Viet Nam Initiative” of planting one billion trees by 2025.

Ambassador Verma also thanked the Provincial Government of Yen Bai to join the Embassy of India in marking Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary as well as in celebrating the 75th anniversary year of India’s Independence and 50 years of India-Viet Nam Diplomatic Relations.

The ambassador highlighted the close links developed between India and Yen Bai province through various Indian development and investment projects in the province as well as mutual exchange of visits.

H.E. Mr. Nguyen The Phuoc, Standing Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Yen Bai affirmed that the gifting of 125 Giang Huong trees for the province was a vivid demonstration of the sentiment and attachment between the two countries and the relations between the Embassy of India and Yen Bai Province.

This type of trees which has good shade and gives beautiful flowers are suitable for the soil of Yen Bai. The gifting and planting of trees are the meaningful activities to mark 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and India and 75th anniversary year of India’s Independence.

These trees also contributed to the programme to plant one billion trees under the Green Viet Nam Initiative during 2021-2025 launched by the Prime Minister of Viet Nam.

He expressed hopes that the trees being planted today will grow well and become vivid symbols of friendship between Viet Nam and India, between people of the two nations and between Yen Bai and India.

Ambassador’s visit and the various events that took place today highlighted India’s close developmental and economic engagement with Yen Bai province. Until now, eight Indian companies have invested in Yen Bai with total registered capital of more than 25 million USD.

India has also partnered with Yen Bai Province to implement various development partnerships in healthcare sector and in local infrastructure development including bridge, infield canals and schools. Under Government of India’s Quick Impact Project programme, India successfully implemented the project of “Construction of Infield canal at Tan An Ward, Nghia Lo District of Yen Bai” in 2020.

Ambassador Pranay Verma and Yen Bai's Secretary of the Party Committee Do Duc Duy. (Photo: Indian Embassy in Viet Nam)

During the visit, Ambassador also met Yen Bai's Secretary of the Party Committee, H. E. Mr. Do Duc Duy and held detailed discussions on current and future cooperation opportunities between India and Yen Bai province in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and cultural engagement.

Both sides also signed an MOU for a new Quick Impact Project (QIP) for “Construction of Infield Canal at Dong Khe Commune, Van Chan District of Yen Bai Province”, which will provide irrigation for 20 hectares of farmland and directly benefit more than 1,500 families. Though small in size, these Quick Impact Projects, which are implemented in a short period of time, bring tangible and rapid benefits to the local community.

Speaking during his visit, Ambassador Pranay Verma noted that these projects were India’s contribution to assist Viet Nam in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 6 received Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Pranay Verma, with their discussion focusing on the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

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