Vietnam always attaches importance to its traditional friendship with India, viewing the country as one of its leading partners and a close friend that supported Vietnam during its struggle for national independence and national construction, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said.
At a reception for Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Hanoi on November 2, Trung said the upgrade of Vietnam India ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was an important stage. He said it reflected high political trust, converging interests and a shared vision, while creating a foundation for deeper and more substantive cooperation in the new period.
Doval said India values its ties with Vietnam and praised the country's development gains and rising standing in the world.
He called Vietnam an important partner in India's regional policy, especially as global and regional conditions change quickly and become more complex. Doval said the two countries share many strategic interests and expressed hope that they would expand connectivity and coordination on bilateral, regional and international issues.
Discussing major areas of cooperation, the two sides agreed to maintain high level delegation exchanges and implement agreements and outcomes from recent leaders' visits. These included the state visit to India by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President, in May 2026, and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's visit to India for the BRICS Summit and bilateral activities in September 2026.
The two countries will also prepare for the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2027.
In the economy, trade and investment, both sides welcomed positive growth in bilateral trade and agreed to continue using market potential to reach a trade target of US$25 billion.
Doval said room for cooperation remains large, especially in energy, infrastructure and technology. He called for stronger business links, more investment and supply chain diversification.
The sides also pledged to advance cooperation in science, technology and innovation, with a focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, strategic technologies, peaceful nuclear energy and quality workforce training.
The participants discussed emerging international and regional issues and their impact on energy security, supply chains and international maritime safety. They agreed to increase consultation, information sharing and coordinated responses to emerging situations, maintain maritime security and safety, and develop cooperation to make the two economies more resilient and protect each country's legitimate interests.
Vietnam and India also agreed to continue close coordination at global and regional forums and help build an open regional order based on multilateralism, international law and rules.
Doval affirmed that India supports ASEAN centrality and is ready to help the bloc build its capacity to respond to new developments.
The meeting helped strengthen political trust and move the Vietnam India Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership toward deeper and more substantive progress for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.
Sources: Viet Nam News
