Vietnam’s top leader To Lam departs for state visit to India

The visit, scheduled for May 5–7, marks his first state visit to India in his current roles and coincides with the 10th anniversary of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

The delegation includes six Politburo members: Nguyen Duy Ngoc, head of the Central Organization Commission; Nguyen Thanh Nghi, head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang; Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang; Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung; and Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

Other members include officials from the Party Central Committee, along with To An Xo, assistant to the General Secretary and State President, and Nguyen Thanh Hai, Vietnam’s ambassador to India.

Professor Harsh V. Pant, vice-president of India’s Observer Research Foundation, said the visit is not only symbolic but also underscores Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening ties with India after a decade of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

At a time of global uncertainty and mounting challenges, high-level exchanges are particularly important for building trust and shaping future cooperation, he added.

According to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong, the visit will feature a wide-ranging agenda in New Delhi and Mumbai, India’s leading economic, financial, and technological hub.

Leaders from both sides are expected to discuss ways to deepen cooperation and pursue breakthroughs in areas such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, healthcare, clean energy, and infrastructure, while promoting people-to-people, cultural, and religious exchanges.

In addition to high-level talks, a series of related activities will be held, including forums on finance and innovation.

“We expect this visit to provide a real opportunity for the two countries to expand cooperation, open up trade and investment markets, strengthen supply chains, and mobilize resources for development,” Cuong said.

Vietnam and India established diplomatic relations in 1972, upgraded ties to a strategic partnership in 2007, and elevated them to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.

India is Vietnam’s eighth-largest trading partner, while Vietnam ranks 21st among India’s trading partners worldwide and fourth within ASEAN.

As of March 31, 2026, India ranked 26th out of 154 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 503 projects worth nearly US$1.18 billion.