Prez Kovind interacts with local leaders in Da Nang

President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday evening interacted with leaders of Da Nang People's Committee led by Truong Quang Nghia, Party Secretary of Da Nang.

President Kovind, on an invitation from Nguyen Phu Trong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, along with First Lady of India Savita Kovind, arrived at the Da Nang International Airport on Sunday afternoon.

They were received by Truong Quang Nghia, Party Secretary of Da Nang, Huynh C Tho, Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang city and Dao Viet Trung, Chairman of the President's Office.

The Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi took to its official Twitter handle, saying, "Received a warm welcome on my arrival in Da Nang, Vietnam. This is my first visit to Southeast Asia as President of India. India and Vietnam share close and cordial relations. I look forward to strengthening our bilateral ties"

The President will be in Vietnam from November 18 to November 21. Here, India will be looking forward to high-level engagements with the Indo -Pacific countries under the rubric of Act East Policy.

Meanwhile, official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar tweeted, "#presidentkovind called by the leaders of Communist Party of Da Nang led by Truong Quang Nghia- Member of Central Party Committee and also Secretary of Da Nang Municipal Party Committee! The city houses Cham Museum which is a symbol of India-Vietnam shared heritage!"

On November 20 (Tuesday), the Indian President would be meeting Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. The President will address the Indian community and the Vietnam-India Business Forum. India and Vietnam have robust trade and economic relations with bilateral trade of US$ 12.8 billion in 2017-18.

After wrapping up his bilateral engagements here, the President and First Lady will depart for Sydney, Australia, on the evening of November 21.