India will always stand alongside Vietnam as a steadfast friend and trusted partner on the journey towards development and prosperity, Indian Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said.
Rijiju made the statement in welcoming remarks at a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, which was held at the Vietnamese Embassy in India on the evening of October 21.
The Indian minister congratulated Vietnam on its 81st National Day and praised the Southeast Asian country’s courage, resilience and development achievements.
He said Vietnam-India relations are rooted in longstanding civilisational ties and shared cultural and spiritual values. The Archaeological Survey of India is carrying out conservation and restoration work at the My Son Cham sanctuary.
Rijiju recalled his 2025 visit to Vietnam, when he accompanied the Buddha’s relics. He said the devotion and genuine affection shown by the Vietnamese people had left an unforgettable impression.
Speaking about recent advances in bilateral relations, the minister cited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that Vietnam-India ties are entering a new era. He said this was particularly evident after General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s state visit in May 2026.
Rijiju described defence and security cooperation as a pillar of the partnership, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. India also supports Vietnam’s human resources development by providing more than 200 training slots annually. More than 3,000 Vietnamese participants have completed the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, or ITEC.
The minister also praised the Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026-2030, tourism cooperation and the establishment of parliamentary friendship groups. He said these initiatives strengthen people-to-people and parliamentary ties.
Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Minh Manh highlighted the historical significance of September 2, 1945 and Vietnam’s development over the past 81 years.
He said Vietnam’s goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045 shares many similarities with India’s plan to become a developed nation by 2047, known as Viksit Bharat 2047. This provides a basis for the two countries to strengthen cooperation and pursue their strategic goals together.
The ambassador said 2026 was an important milestone as the countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit to India in May 2026 elevated ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and opened a new phase of deeper and more substantive cooperation.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung visited India in September 2026 to attend the BRICS Summit. The trip, the ambassador said, further consolidated bilateral relations and coordination at multilateral forums.
Vietnam-India cooperation has expanded across politics, defence, security, trade, investment, science and technology, and tourism. Vietnam welcomed around 750,000 Indian visitors in 2025, and the ambassador expects the number to exceed one million soon. About 90 direct flights per week support that growth, twice the previous frequency.
Rijiju said longstanding cultural and spiritual connections, especially the shared Buddhist heritage, remain a strong foundation for the friendship between the two countries.
Referring to Vietnam’s 2045 vision and India’s 2047 development goal, Rijiju said the countries share aspirations for prosperity and expressed hope that their friendship would continue to develop.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
