This is the second overseas visit by General Secretary and President To Lam following the National Assembly’s consolidation of key state leadership positions, and the first visit to India by a Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President. With its special significance, the visit marks a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, contributing to breakthroughs and elevating the Viet Nam–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new and more effective, robust, and strategically substantive level.
Relations between Viet Nam and India have a long history, underpinned by enduring cultural and religious exchanges, notably reflected in the development of Buddhism in Viet Nam. Mutual understanding and the sincere, trusted friendship between the peoples of Viet Nam and India have been nurtured over time, enduring the fluctuations and challenges of history in each country and the region. Thanks to the persistent efforts of generations of leaders and citizens of both nations, the strong Viet Nam–India relationship has become a valuable shared asset and a source of pride for both peoples. Viet Nam always values and remembers India’s support, assistance, and solidarity during its past struggle for national independence and freedom, as well as in its current socio-economic development.
Over more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, Viet Nam–India ties have made significant strides, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. Both nations are now entering new stages of development and striving to realise their aspirations of becoming developed countries by the centenary of their founding. In this context, continued companionship, cooperation, and mutual support between traditional friends are of particular importance.
The year 2026 marks a proud milestone in the history of friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and India, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past decade, Viet Nam–India relations have served as a model of stable and positive cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides have built solid foundations for cooperation through the effective maintenance of high-level and multi-level exchanges, cooperation mechanisms, and the signing of numerous agreements. Defence and security cooperation remains a strategic pillar of the bilateral relationship.
Economically, India is currently Viet Nam’s eighth-largest trading partner, while Viet Nam ranks as India’s 21st-largest trading partner and fourth-largest within ASEAN. Bilateral trade has increased 2.5-fold since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, reaching 16.4 billion USD in 2025, up 10.5% compared with 2024. As of the end of December 2025, India has 473 investment projects in Viet Nam with total registered capital of 1.1 billion USD. Viet Nam, for its part, has a project by Vingroup to build an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu state.
Cooperation in science-technology, education and training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges has achieved positive results. In 2025, the number of Indian tourists visiting Viet Nam reached nearly 800,000, almost four times higher than in 2019. India continues to provide Viet Nam with 180 short- and long-term scholarships annually, as well as funding and expert support for the conservation and restoration of the Cham towers at My Son. Scientific and technological cooperation has been strengthened, creating new momentum in areas aligned with the needs of both countries, such as innovation, robotics, start-ups, nuclear energy, and biotechnology. The two sides have signed numerous cooperation agreements and established a Joint Committee on Atomic Energy for peaceful purposes.
Taking place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Viet Nam–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the state visit to India by General Secretary and President To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation reaffirms the enduring vitality of the traditional friendship and comprehensive, effective cooperation between the two countries, while contributing to a new chapter of dynamic development in bilateral relations. The visit underscores Viet Nam’s commitment and determination to elevate ties with India, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples, as both nations continue to enhance their position, role and voice in the Indo-Pacific region.
