The book Traces of Indian Culture in Viet Nam written by Professor Geetesh Sharma was presented to the public in Ha Noi yesterday.
HA NOI -
The ceremony formed part of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and India.
According to Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae, Viet Nam has played an important role in the hearts of Indian people and that developing relations was an important part of the country's "Look East" policy.
In his 180-page book, Sharma emphasised the strong relations between India and Viet Nam that have existed for 2000 years. He affirmed that there was a kingdom of Hinduised Champa people spreading from Central Viet Nam to Binh Thuan Province that existed from the 2nd century to the 17th century A.D.
Born in 1932 in Bihar state in India, Sharma is president of the India Vietnam Solidarity Committee of West-Bengal. He has taken part in a number of activities to help Vietnamese people during their resistance for national independence and in the development of the country after the war. He has promoted the exchange of cultural and trade delegations between India and Viet Nam over the last years. VNS