The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, H.E. Mr To Lam, paid a state visit to India from 5 May to 7 May 2026 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. This marks the first time a general secretary and president of Vietnam have undertaken a state visit to India. The visit also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which was established in 2016.
President To Lam’s visit commenced in Bihar, beginning in Bodh Gaya on 5 May, where he visited the Mahabodhi Temple and the Vietnam Temple. He arrived in New Delhi that evening. On 6 May, he was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and visited Raj Ghat to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. This was followed by bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and President To Lam at Hyderabad House, after which the two leaders witnessed the exchange of bilateral documents. President To Lam also met with President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. He delivered a policy speech at the Indian Council of World Affairs and addressed the Viet Nam–India Innovation Forum.
The centrepiece of the visit was the formal elevation of bilateral relations. The two leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They underlined that deepening India–Viet Nam ties will continue to bring mutual benefits to their peoples and contribute meaningfully towards achieving their respective national goals — India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viet Nam’s Vision 2045.
The leaders recognised that Viet Nam is a key pillar in India’s Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and Indo-Pacific Vision, driving India’s engagement with the Mekong sub-region, ASEAN, and the Indo-Pacific. They reaffirmed their shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Regarding trade and economic cooperation, Prime Minister Modi posted, X: “During our talks today, we discussed how to advance developmental cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, and tourism. We have taken key decisions that will increase trade to $25 billion by 2030. We also discussed how to work together in agriculture, fisheries, critical minerals, rare earths, and energy cooperation. Priority will also be given to enhancing cultural linkages.”
Bilateral trade reached a record of USD 16.46 billion in 2025, up 10.5 per cent compared to 2024 and approximately 2.5 times higher than in 2016.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning multiple sectors. They reiterated the significance of digital technologies and welcomed the signing of the MoU between the State Bank of Viet Nam and the Reserve Bank of India on financial innovation and digital payments. Additional agreements covered cooperation in digital technology between the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, pharmaceutical management between the two countries’ drug regulatory authorities, and the Vietnam–India Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026–2030. MoUs on tourism cooperation and the establishment of sister-city ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai were also included.
On defence and strategic cooperation, the leaders agreed to establish a Strategic Diplomacy–Defence Dialogue (2+2). MEA Secretary (East) P. Kumaran, at the official Special Briefing, stated that President To Lam invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Vietnam again, and Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation in principle, noting that suitable dates can be worked out through diplomatic channels.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated Viet Nam’s continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. Viet Nam welcomed India’s 2026 BRICS Chairmanship, while India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Viet Nam’s role as a BRICS Partner Country. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Viet Nam’s joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
President To Lam was subsequently scheduled to travel to Mumbai for the Viet Nam–India Business Forum and interactions with high-level officials of the Maharashtra state government, concluding the final engagement of his three-day state visit to India.
