New Delhi, India — May 6, 2026
India and Vietnam on Wednesday strengthened their bilateral relationship as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Vietnamese President To Lam held high-level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, followed by a joint press conference announcing a series of new initiatives.
The two sides signed 13 key agreements spanning sectors such as digital payments, healthcare regulation, cultural exchange, education, tourism, and technology cooperation—underscoring a deepening strategic alignment between the two nations.
Strategic Partnership Enters New Phase
Addressing the media, Prime Minister Modi said the relationship between India and Vietnam has witnessed “rapid progress across sectors” over the past decade. He noted that during his earlier visit to Vietnam, the country became India’s first “Comprehensive Strategic Partner” within ASEAN.
Building on that foundation, both nations have now agreed to elevate ties to a “modern comprehensive strategic partnership,” reflecting expanding cooperation in trade, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
PM Modi highlighted that bilateral trade has doubled over the last decade, reaching approximately $16 billion, signaling robust economic engagement.
Cultural and Civilizational Links in Focus
The Prime Minister emphasized the deep-rooted cultural ties between the two countries, particularly referencing the recent visit of sacred Buddhist relics from India to Vietnam, which drew over 15 million visitors.
He also announced efforts to digitally preserve ancient Champa civilization manuscripts, ensuring that this shared heritage is safeguarded for future generations.
President To Lam began his India visit with a trip to Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, highlighting the spiritual and historical connections between the two nations.
Key Agreements Signed
Among the major agreements signed during the visit:
- Cooperation between IREL (India) Limited and Vietnam’s Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements
- Cultural Exchange Program (2026–2030) between both nations’ culture ministries
- Agreement between Reserve Bank of India and State Bank of Vietnam on digital payments innovation
- Healthcare regulatory cooperation between CDSCO (India) and Vietnam’s Drug Administration
- Sister-city collaboration between Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee
- Academic partnerships including Nalanda University and Vietnamese institutions
- Digital technology cooperation between both governments
- Agreement to preserve Cham manuscripts digitally
These agreements reflect a broad-based expansion of cooperation across governance, academia, finance, and cultural preservation.
High-Level Engagements and Ceremonial Welcome
Earlier in the day, President To Lam received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was greeted by Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, marking the start of his first state visit to India.
The visit includes meetings with senior Indian officials and further discussions on regional and global issues, indicating a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Strengthening Regional and Global Cooperation
Officials on both sides indicated that the talks covered not only bilateral relations but also broader regional and global developments, reinforcing India-Vietnam cooperation within the Indo-Pacific framework.
The visit is seen as a significant step in advancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
