Vice President Venkaiah Naidu says govt has made it a priority to reach out to Indians overseas

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Vietnam yesterday on his four-day official visit to the Southeast Asian nation. The visit is expected to enhance India's comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam.

Addressing Indian Community and Friends of India in Hanoi, Vietnam, Mr Naidu said that the government has made it a priority to reach out to the Indian community overseas. 

He also said that Indians living abroad are the cultural ambassadors of the country. The vice president also appealed to the Indian diaspora to cherish their roots and carry the message of India to the world. 

Describing the ties between India and Vietnam as historic, Mr Naidu said that the partnership between the two countries has stood the



test of the times. Successive generations of leaders have built upon this trust and goodwill, he added. 

The Vice President will be holding one-on-one interaction and delegation level talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. 

He will also hold meetings with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairperson of the National Assembly Mme. Nguyen Kim Thi Ngan.

On May 12, the Vice President will participate in the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak at Tam Chuc pagoda in the country's northern Ha Nam province and deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session. 

The event has been themed as "Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies."