Vietnam’s top leader To Lam to visit India next week

Nguyen Manh Cuong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the trip as a “special and important diplomatic event” while speaking to the press ahead of the visit.

This will mark Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s first visit to India in his new role as Vietnam’s state leader for the 2026-31 term and coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership.

The visit underscores Vietnam’s emphasis on strengthening ties with India and South Asia more broadly.

Cuong said the agenda in New Delhi and Mumbai will be extensive, including meetings with senior Indian leaders and forums on finance, science, technology, and innovation.

Key discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in science and technology, digital transformation, healthcare, clean energy, infrastructure, and cultural and religious exchanges.

Both sides aim to create new momentum for bilateral relations and set a higher framework for cooperation in the years to come.

Vietnam and India currently maintain more than 20 bilateral cooperation mechanisms and have signed numerous agreements guiding their partnership.

Bilateral trade has grown steadily, reaching US$15-16 billion annually, with India ranking among Vietnam’s top 10 trading partners.

Investment ties are also expanding, with nearly 500 projects underway.

The two nations are also deepening collaboration in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, satellite data, and renewable energy.

Cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties have strengthened, reflecting the broadening scope of cooperation.

At the multilateral level, Vietnam and India share a common vision of upholding international law, supporting multilateral institutions, and promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Both countries frequently coordinate and support each other in regional and global forums.

Cuong said the visit will be a political milestone, elevating the traditional friendship and strategic depth of Vietnam-India relations, while delivering tangible benefits for residents and businesses in both countries.