Joint statement on strengthening CSP between Viet Nam - India

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has released the Joint Statement on the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of India and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on the occasion of the State visit to India by General Secretary and President To Lam.

The document marks a new development in bilateral relations, reflecting both countries' determination to further deepen cooperation across politics, the economy, defense, technology, and people-to-people exchanges, in the spirit of “shared vision, strategic convergence, and substantive cooperation.”

On politics

Within the framework of the high-level talks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and General Secretary and President To Lam conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. The two leaders affirmed that further deepening Viet Nam-India relations would contribute to achieving each country’s long-term development goals, including India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision and Viet Nam’s “Vision 2045.”

The two sides agreed to elevate ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the spirit of “shared vision, strategic convergence, and substantive cooperation.” Both countries also agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges, effectively implement existing cooperation agreements, and strengthen coordination through bilateral mechanisms, parliamentary channels, and multilateral forums.

Welcoming the establishment of the India-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentarians Group in the Indian Parliament, the two leaders expressed support for stronger cooperation between the legislative bodies of both countries and for closer coordination at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Both sides agreed that existing dialogue mechanisms have deepened mutual trust. They identified mechanisms such as the Political Consultations & Strategic Dialogue and the Joint Commission on Economic, Trade and Scientific Cooperation as key pillars of bilateral ties. The two countries also agreed to hold regular meetings on defense, maritime security, trade, investment, agriculture, healthcare, information technology, space, and atomic energy. They further expressed expectations to establish a Foreign Affairs-Defense Strategic Dialogue (2+2).

On economy, trade, and investment

Viet Nam and India agreed to strengthen cooperation between their two fast-growing economies, aiming to raise bilateral trade turnover to USD 25 billion by 2030. Both sides committed to facilitating greater market access for agricultural products, welcoming the opening of the Vietnamese market to Indian grapes and the Indian market to Vietnamese durian, while accelerating procedures for Indian pomegranates and Vietnamese pomelos.

Alongside efforts to strengthen supply chains in areas of mutual interest, Viet Nam reaffirmed its policy of diversifying supply sources and increasing imports from India. The two sides will coordinate to create a more favorable legal environment for businesses and expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in line with new trade realities and facilitation goals.

The two leaders encouraged expanded two-way investment in high-tech industries, transportation, manufacturing, renewable energy, smart agriculture, electric vehicles, healthcare, and tourism, while enhancing connections between startup and innovation ecosystems. Both sides also reaffirmed continued cooperation in oil and gas exploration and production in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and pledged to promote cooperation in e-commerce and the digital economy to help small and medium-sized enterprises integrate more deeply into global value chains.

On healthcare

The two sides will explore the possibility of allowing Indian pharmaceutical companies to supply medicines to Viet Nam’s public healthcare system from 2027 onward. Both countries also encouraged stronger digital transformation in healthcare, particularly the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare services and management.

In addition to promoting exchanges of knowledge, research, and experience in traditional medicine, the two leaders welcomed progress toward the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Traditional Medicine and the initiative to establish an Ayurveda Academic Chair in Viet Nam.

On defense and security

Viet Nam and India reaffirmed that defense and security cooperation remains a key pillar of bilateral relations and welcomed the effective implementation of the Viet Nam-India Joint Vision for Defense Partnership toward 2030. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation into new areas such as research and co-production of defense technologies, information sharing, cybersecurity, peacekeeping, and search and rescue operations, while also enhancing procurement of each other’s defense systems.

The two countries welcomed progress in implementing India’s defense credit lines for Viet Nam, as well as agreements on mutual logistics support, submarine rescue cooperation, and defense industry collaboration. Both sides also positively assessed the first joint hydrographic survey conducted in May 2025 and agreed to continue such activities in the future.

Viet Nam appreciated India’s defense personnel training programs under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC). The two leaders also agreed to jointly chair the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Cyber Security for the 2027-2030 period, strengthen legal and judicial cooperation through existing mechanisms, and expand coordination between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Public Security and India’s National Security Council in combating terrorism, cybercrime, money laundering, and online fraud.

On maritime cooperation

Viet Nam expressed appreciation to India for inviting it to appoint a Liaison Officer to the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), contributing to enhanced maritime domain awareness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed Viet Nam’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in oceanography, marine forecasting, and marine scientific research. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the potential for cooperation with Vietnam in establishing pangasius breeding and farming facilities in India.

On science and technology

The two leaders welcomed the signing of a MoU between the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of Viet Nam on financial innovation and digital payments, aimed at enabling retail payment connectivity through QR codes. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in emerging technologies such as digital public infrastructure, 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), space technology, nuclear technology, and critical minerals.

The two countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in clean energy, sustainable water management, and energy transition, with Viet Nam expressing interest in joining the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).

Viet Nam and India further agreed to promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, with the Indian side welcoming Viet Nam’s invitation to participate in the nuclear power sector. Both sides also welcomed the signing of a MoU between India’s IREL and Viet Nam’s Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements (VINATOM) on cooperation in rare earths.

On development partnership

Both sides highly appreciated the effectiveness of the Quick Impact Projects (QIP) supported by India in Viet Nam, with 66 projects implemented across 32 provinces and cities, bringing tangible benefits to local communities. The two countries also encouraged greater exchanges among students, lecturers, and academic researchers, and welcomed the signing of an MoU between Nalanda University and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

On culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges

Viet Nam highly appreciated India’s organization of the exhibition of the Buddha’s relics in Viet Nam in 2025, considering it a symbol of the profound civilizational and spiritual ties between the two peoples. The two sides agreed to promote sustainable tourism, strengthen air connectivity, and enhance people-to-people exchanges. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Vietnamese visitors to explore Buddhist sacred sites in India.

Viet Nam also acknowledged and appreciated India’s support in preserving the My Son Sanctuary World Cultural Heritage Site as well as conservation projects in Dak Lak. Both sides welcomed the establishment of friendship relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai.

On regional and international cooperation

Viet Nam and India called for strengthening the role and voice of the Global South in global governance, while continuing to advocate for reforms of UN and United Nations Security Council to make them more representative and better aligned with current realities.

Viet Nam reaffirmed support for India becoming a permanent member of an expanded United Nations Security Council, while India expressed support for Viet Nam’s role as a BRICS Partner Country and welcomed its deeper participation in BRICS-led mechanisms.

The two leaders also affirmed that Viet Nam plays an important role in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision, while emphasizing ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture.

Regarding the East Sea, both sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). The two countries underscored the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) consistent with international law.

At the same time, both sides condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, and called for the elimination of terrorist financing networks and safe havens.