Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Vietnamese President To Lam before a delegation-level meeting in New Delhi on May 6, 2026. | Photo credit: AP
India’s relationship with Vietnam is a partnership that does not target any other country in the Indo-Pacific region, senior officials said on Wednesday (May 06, 2026).
The remarks came soon after India welcomed General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, who is also the current President of Vietnam. During a bilateral discussion at Hyderabad House between Mr. Lam and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two sides elevated the bilateral relationship to the level of “Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and signed at least thirteen documents, including one on cooperation in critical minerals.
“Vietnam is the main pillar of India’s Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision. We have a common outlook in the Indo-Pacific region. With our strengthening ties in defense and security, we are helping the rule of law, peace, stability and prosperity. India will expand its relations with ASEAN through its relations with Vietnam,” PM Modi said, welcoming Mr. Lam. Mr. Modi said trade between India and Vietnam has reached $16 billion, adding that the figure will touch $25 billion by 2030.
One of Vietnam’s most senior political figures, Mr. Lam was elected as the State President of Vietnam on May 22, 2024. On August 3, 2024, the 69-year-old politician was elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and was re-elected as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on January 23, 2026. This was followed by his re-election as State President of Vietnam on 7 April 2026 for a five-year term.
Speaking at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) after being hosted by Mr Modi at Hyderabad House, Mr Lam referred to India’s support for the liberation of Vietnam, saying: “We will never forget that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first foreign leader to visit Vietnam in 1954, just a week after the liberation of Hanoi.”
| Video Credit: PTI
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two sides welcomed the steady progress in establishing the Defense Lines of Credit (LoC) extended by India to Vietnam, acknowledging that the ceasefire had helped “Vietnam’s defense capabilities” and advanced bilateral defense cooperation.
The leaders also expressed satisfaction with the “implementation of bilateral defense agreements, including an agreement on mutual logistical support, a memorandum on cooperation in submarine search and rescue, and a letter of intent to enhance defense industrial cooperation.”
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security also confirmed plans to strengthen cooperation with India’s National Security Council Secretariat. The Ministry of Public Security has close ties with Mr. Lam, as he served as Deputy Minister of Public Security and also as Minister of Public Security from 2016 to 2024.
The visiting party also sealed thirteen documents with India, including a memorandum of understanding between the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) on cooperation in payment systems and innovation in digital payments, as well as a memorandum of understanding on radioactive and rare earth minerals.
Published – May 6, 2026 1:58 PM IST
