At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation attend the 18th BRICS Summit and engage in bilateral meetings in India from September 12 to 13.
The working trip holds special significance as 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam-India comprehensive strategic partnership, an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations. The trip will make an important contribution to strengthening the time-honoured friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and India.
This is the first time Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has attended a BRICS Summit in his new position. Viet Nam’s participation in activities within the expanded BRICS framework as a BRICS partner country demonstrates its role, stature and responsible contributions to global issues and the future of the region and the world.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on August 26, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on August 26, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Viet Nam-India:
Enduring friendship, effective and practical cooperation
Viet Nam and India share a long-standing friendship, which is a valuable asset of both countries. The two countries officially established diplomatic relations in 1972. In September 2016, they elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. In August 2024, the two countries adopted a joint statement on strengthening the Viet Nam-India comprehensive strategic partnership.
Bilateral relations through the party, state and parliament channels as well as people-to-people exchanges have continued to expand and deepen. The relationship between the two countries was taken to a new level in May 2026, when, during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam’s state visit to India, the two countries’ leaders agreed to elevate their ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership under the spirit of “shared vision, strategic convergence, substantive cooperation”, opening a new phase of development for bilateral relations.
Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Tshering W. Sherpa, along with other delegates, attend a reception marking the 80th anniversary of India’s Independence Day in Ha Noi on August 18, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Tshering W. Sherpa, along with other delegates, attend a reception marking the 80th anniversary of India’s Independence Day in Ha Noi on August 18, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Within the framework of Party General Secretary and President To Lam’s State visit to India in May 2026, he delivered a policy speech at the Indian Council of World Affairs. In the speech, Party General Secretary and President To Lam stated that bonds of connection, shared visions and strategic convergence form a solid foundation for Viet Nam and India to strengthen cooperation, contribute effectively to each country’s development journey in the new era, and help shape a more stable and sustainable regional and international environment.
According to Party General Secretary and President To Lam, thousands of years of historical connections and more than 50 years of diplomatic relations have created an extremely valuable and solid foundation for Viet Nam-India relations, with ties of historical depth and substance and many similarities in their development journeys. For Viet Nam, India has always been a very important partner, as well as a close and trusted friend.
Viet Nam and India have effectively maintained cooperation mechanisms such as the Viet Nam-India Joint Commission at foreign ministerial level, the Viet Nam-India Joint Trade Sub-Commission, political consultations and strategic dialogue, security dialogue, defence policy dialogue, foreign policy dialogue and maritime security dialogue.
Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cut the ribbon to inaugurate the foreign language classroom of the Air Force Officer Training School, supported by the Government of India, on May 19, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cut the ribbon to inaugurate the foreign language classroom of the Air Force Officer Training School, supported by the Government of India, on May 19, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Trade is regarded as an important pillar of the enhanced Viet Nam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Economically, India is currently Viet Nam’s eighth-largest trading partner, while Viet Nam is India’s fifth-largest partner in ASEAN.
Education and training cooperation between the two countries has achieved many positive results. India continues to provide Viet Nam with nearly 200 short- and long-term scholarships each year. Tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges have been strengthened and expanded. The number of Indian visitors to Viet Nam reached nearly 500,000 in the first six months of 2026, up 45.5% year on year. India has provided funding and sent experts to conserve and restore groups of Cham towers at My Son.
Science and technology cooperation has been promoted in a number of areas suited to the needs of both countries, especially innovation, robotics, start-ups, atomic energy and biotechnology. The two sides have signed many cooperation documents and established the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy for the peaceful use, while actively promoting cooperation in such fields as information technology and rare earths.
The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of India in Viet Nam, organised the international seminar “Opportunities and Efforts of Viet Nam and India in digital transformation” on January 30, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of India in Viet Nam, organised the international seminar “Opportunities and Efforts of Viet Nam and India in digital transformation” on January 30, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to India, concurrently accredited to Nepal and Bhutan, Trinh Minh Manh, the working visit by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung takes place immediately after the State visit to India by General Secretary and President To Lam in May 2026, and at a time when bilateral relations have entered a new stage of development under the framework of the enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Therefore, the meeting between the two countries’ Government leaders on the occasion of this BRICS Summit is an important opportunity for the two sides to continue concretising the common understandings and high-level agreements reached.
Viet Nam strengthens connectivity with BRICS
BRICS was officially established on the occasion of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Russia, China and India held on the sidelines of the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2006. In 2010, with the accession of South Africa, the group officially adopted the name BRICS, with the letters derived from the English names of the five founding member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. BRICS does not have a separate secretariat and operates under a rotating chairmanship held by the five core members.
During the 2024-2025 period, BRICS admitted six new members, namely Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE); while also establishing a Partner Country mechanism with 10 countries, namely Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam, thereby enhancing its position in global governance and its influence in the world.
From its inception, BRICS was identified as a policy coordination forum aimed at promoting a multipolar world order, strengthening the voice of developing countries, linking economic cooperation with sustainable development and responding to climate change. Along with its expansion in membership, BRICS has also broadened its agenda from the economy and finance to new areas such as innovation, artificial intelligence, healthcare, energy and food security, meeting the needs of developing countries while promoting the group’s common voice on global issues.
During India’s 2026 Chairmanship, India has actively promoted the continued implementation by BRICS of initiatives adopted at the 2025 Summit in Brazil, while also proposing new initiatives in areas such as labour, employment, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, transport, energy, urban development, agriculture, infrastructure and data.
On June 13, 2025, Brazil, as BRICS Chair in 2025, officially announced Viet Nam as the 10th BRICS Partner Country.
Viet Nam's objectives in becoming a BRICS Partner Country are to: (i) affirm Viet Nam's position, role, active participation, and responsible contribution to multilateral mechanisms; protect national interests; promote Viet Nam's priorities and issues of common concern to the region and the world; (ii) strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with BRICS countries and open additional channels for dialogue and engagement at all levels with BRICS members and partner countries; and (iii) leverage cooperation resources, particularly in science and technology, capital, and markets, to support the country's development strategy.
The Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting took place on May 14-15, 2026, during which Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang held a bilateral meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. (Photo: VNA)
The Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting took place on May 14-15, 2026, during which Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang held a bilateral meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. (Photo: VNA)
As a partner country, Viet Nam has actively and proactively participated in BRICS activities, making responsible contributions to common global efforts, upholding multilateralism and international law, promoting solidarity and international cooperation, and strengthening the role of developing countries. These efforts have also contributed to deepening bilateral relations with BRICS members. Viet Nam has proactively chosen to participate in specific cooperation mechanisms and initiatives that align with its priorities, initially helping to expand channels of cooperation, strengthen exchanges of experience, and gain access to new technology initiatives and trends.
Overall, Viet Nam's participation in BRICS has reaffirmed the consistent foreign policy of the Party and State, enhanced the country's position and prestige, and further deepened bilateral relations between Viet Nam and BRICS members. Viet Nam's participation has been welcomed by BRICS members and highly appreciated by the international community.
The 18th BRICS Summit will be held in 2026 and hosted by India under the theme: “Building resilient foundations, innovation, cooperation, and sustainable development.” As BRICS Chair in 2026, India is promoting cooperation within BRICS around four pillars: (i) strengthening and diversifying global supply chains; (ii) promoting innovation; (iii) promoting reform of global governance institutions; and (iv) ensuring sustainable development.
The Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting opened on May 14, 2026, in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of the Indian Minister of External Affairs, as BRICS Chair in 2026. (Photo: VNA)
The Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting opened on May 14, 2026, in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of the Indian Minister of External Affairs, as BRICS Chair in 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Accordingly, an open session, which broadens participation to partner countries and invited guests, is convened under the theme ‘Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth’.
According to VNA, Vietnamese Ambassador to India, concurrently accredited to Nepal and Bhutan, Trinh Minh Manh, stated: “Viet Nam’s consistent participation in BRICS activities at a high level since becoming a partner country in June 2025 demonstrates the importance it attaches to the cooperation mechanism. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s first participation in the summit, held under India’s 2026 Chairmanship, is expected to further highlight Viet Nam’s support for India’s role as chair. Amid growing uncertainty in the global economic and political landscape, Viet Nam’s participation also conveys a message of support for multilateralism, solidarity, cooperation and shared responsibility for peace, stability and sustainable development.”
The Vietnamese delegation of officials, spouses and partners, led by Vietnamese Ambassador to India Trinh Minh Manh, takes part in Fit India Sundays on Cycle within the framework of the BRICS Run & Ride 2026 Initiative in New Delhi on August 30, 2026. In the photo: The Vietnamese delegation stands out amid a “sea of yellow” at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. (Photo: VNA)
The Vietnamese delegation of officials, spouses and partners, led by Vietnamese Ambassador to India Trinh Minh Manh, takes part in Fit India Sundays on Cycle within the framework of the BRICS Run & Ride 2026 Initiative in New Delhi on August 30, 2026. In the photo: The Vietnamese delegation stands out amid a “sea of yellow” at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s visit to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and engage in bilateral meetings in India sends a clear signal that Viet Nam places high value on the role of BRICS and is committed to making responsible contributions through proactive and active participation in multilateral mechanisms, including BRICS.
The working visit helps to strengthen cooperation between Viet Nam and BRICS member states, particularly in areas where BRICS members possess strengths and Viet Nam has requirements. It also serves to deepen the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and India, advancing the relationship in a deeper, more substantive and effective manner, for the greater benefit of the peoples of both nations and the wider region.
Published: September 2026
Produced by: Chu Hong Thang, Truong Son, Minh Hang, Nguyen Ha, Hoang Ha
Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Viet Nam News Agency