New Delhi, Sep 14. India and Vietnam reviewed the entire spectrum of their bilateral relations and agreed to step up cooperation in defence, trade, investment, connectivity, nuclear energy, space and other emerging areas, as the two countries seek to give greater momentum to their Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung co-chaired the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in New Delhi on September 14.
The two sides noted that the discussions between Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including during To Lam’s state visit to India in May this year, had provided fresh impetus to bilateral ties.
During the outcome-oriented meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to expand ongoing defence and security cooperation, including the possibility of co-production of Indian defence equipment in Vietnam.
They also agreed to work towards greater trade and investment flows and the development of mutually beneficial supply chains. India and Vietnam will also explore improved market access for Indian marine and agricultural products as well as pharmaceuticals.
Connectivity figured prominently in the discussions, with the two sides examining opportunities to strengthen financial, port and air connectivity. They also identified potential areas of cooperation in nuclear energy and the space sector, heritage conservation, standards for seafarers and capacity building.
The ministers welcomed growing interest in yoga in Vietnam and agreed to designate 2027 as the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship to commemorate 55 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Vietnam’s engagement with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was also welcomed, reflecting the convergence of interests between the two countries in promoting a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
The two sides exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination in regional and multilateral forums.
Jaishankar and Trung expressed satisfaction over the steady expansion of bilateral relations and agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Commission at a mutually convenient date.
Vietnam remains a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, with bilateral ties underpinned by longstanding civilisational links. The latest discussions are expected to further broaden the partnership into new areas while strengthening cooperation in traditional fields.
