Mr. Quang was welcomed at the Palam military airport by Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, minister of state for defense, Vietnamese ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh and other officials.

President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse were given a traditional welcome in Bodh Gaya city (Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV)

Earlier the same day, the President visited Bodh Gaya city of Bihar state, the first leg of his state visit to India, where he received Prem Kumar, minister of agriculture of the Bihar state. Mr. Quang said he is pleased to visit Bodh Gaya, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. He added that Vietnam and India have cultural and religious connections as Buddhism penetrated Vietnam thousands of years ago and has promoted Vietnamese social values until now. President Quang said he hopes the Bihar state will create favorable conditions for Vietnamese Buddhist followers’ pilgrimage there and will boost cooperation with Vietnam’s localities.

President Tran Dai Quang received Prem Kumar, minister of agriculture of the Bihar state (Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV)

On the same day, President Quang and his spouse visited the first Vietnamese pagoda in Bodh Gaya. He praised Buddhist dignitaries for disseminating Vietnamese Buddhist culture in India.  

The same day, the spouse of President Quang, Nguyen Thi Hien, visited the Siddhartha Compassionate School in Bodh Gaya.