His Excellency Mr. Pham Binh Minh, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam called on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (July 4, 2017). Welcoming Mr. Minh to India, the President recalled his state visit to Vietnam in September 2014 and thanked him for the warm hospitality provided to him and his delegation during the visit. The President also congratulated Mr. Minh on his elevation as a member of Politburo last year. The President said that India and Vietnam traditionally share warm and cordial relations, based on mutual respect and goodwill. Our fruitful partnership has grown in recent years. He was confident that it would continue to strengthen in the years to come. He said that the status of present bilateral trade between India and Vietnam is satisfactory. However, the two countries should work together to achieve the target of US$15 billion bilateral trade by 2020. Many Indian companies are keen to invest in Vietnam for the development and prosperity of their people. The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister warmly reciprocated the President’s sentiments and said Vietnam is keen to work with India in taking their mutual relationship to greater heights.