Vietnam-India relations enter new phase of development: Indian expert

The elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects the increasingly deep convergence of geopolitical, economic, maritime and civilisational interests between the two countries, former Indian Deputy National Security Adviser S.D. Pradhan told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in New Delhi.

Vietnam-India relations enter new phase of development: Indian expert -0
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witness the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries. (Photo: VNA)

The most significant outcome of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to India from May 5-7 was that it ushered India-Vietnam relations into a new phase of development, moving from a foundation of traditional friendship to a multidimensional, substantive and future-oriented strategic partnership framework, according to former Indian Deputy National Security Adviser S.D. Pradhan.

In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in New Delhi, Pradhan noted that the elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects the increasingly deep convergence of geopolitical, economic, maritime and civilisational interests between the two countries.

The former security adviser said the visit carried strategic significance in four key aspects.

First, the visit institutionalised a higher level of cooperation, upgrading bilateral ties from sector-based cooperation to a more comprehensive and sustainable strategic alignment.

Second, bilateral cooperation has expanded significantly beyond the traditional defence pillar into emerging areas such as AI, fintech, digital payments, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, rare earths and cultural preservation.

Third, the visit demonstrated the strong convergence between the two countries on maritime issues and the Indo-Pacific vision. Vietnam’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was seen as an important step, reflecting a shared commitment to peace, freedom of navigation, resilient supply chains and a regional order based on international law.

Fourth, the two sides reaffirmed their determination to deepen economic cooperation, with the goal of raising bilateral trade to 25 billion USD by 2030, expanding market access for agricultural products and strengthening investment, production and logistics linkages.

According to Pradhan, General Secretary and President Lam’s engagements with the business community in Mumbai showed that Vietnam places great importance on the private sector and seeks to boost cooperation in future strategic sectors such as AI, clean energy, logistics, data centres and research and development.

According to the former official, the most important factor in translating the commitments made during the visit into reality is the establishment of effective implementation mechanisms with clear roadmaps and high-level monitoring arrangements. Both sides also need to promote direct air connectivity between major economic centres, strengthen supply chain linkages, encourage private sector investment and improve the business environment.

He also suggested that the two countries should further enhance cooperation in regional and global forums such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United Nations and Indo-Pacific frameworks, while promoting people-to-people exchanges, tourism, education and spiritual tourism routes to build a sustainable social foundation for bilateral relations.

Pradhan stressed that the true success of the visit would be measured by the ability to turn agreements and memoranda of understanding into concrete projects in the areas of defence, trade, technology and connectivity. If implemented effectively, Vietnam-India relations could become one of the most important bilateral relationships in Asia.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.