Vietnam-India Cooperation Grows More Practical and Future-Focused

Vietnam and India are moving their enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership towards practical cooperation, with greater focus on trade, technology, defence, digital transformation, innovation, energy and people-to-people ties.

Vietnam and India are moving to a new chapter in bilateral ties, which are now more concrete, substantive and prospective, with each side celebrating the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership. After upgrading the ties to an “Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in May 2026 during a state visit by Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam to India, the relationship took a renewed boost.

The new partnership is based on the concepts of shared vision, strategic convergence and substantive cooperation. Both countries are looking to translate their longstanding political relationship into projects and initiatives that will provide economic and strategic benefits.

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The two sides discussed a number of areas where there is potential for further cooperation, such as trade, investment, digital technology, science and technology, energy, and innovation and manufacturing. The upgraded partnership is expected to be one of the bilateral economic engagement's pillars.

Vietnam also has a goal of bilateral trade reaching $25 billion by 2030, with India. There are complements in strengths of the two economies with opportunities in manufacturing, technology, supply chains and investment. An enhanced business-to-business relationship could be useful for further commercial relations.

Another emerging area is technology. Digital transformation, innovation and emerging technologies require cooperation, with opportunities for companies, startups and research institutions in both countries. The partnership is also being extended to other areas like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education and human-resource development.

The Defence and maritime cooperation is an important aspect of the relationship. Over the years, India and Vietnam have been strengthening the security cooperation, holding exchange programmes, training and cooperation programmes to promote regional peace and stability.

The two countries are also working on enhancing the people-to-people ties such as tourism, cultural exchanges and educational cooperation. These connections will be expected to help to foster a broader understanding and provide further opportunity for collaboration.

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The developing relationship is in line with both countries' desires to be closely involved in the Indo-Pacific and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. Vietnam is still a core country for India's Act East policy and India provides Vietnam with spaces for diversification in trade, technology and investment.

The latest developments also suggest that India-Vietnam relations are shifting from the diplomatic arena and moving towards outcome-oriented cooperation. The improved partnership, enhanced by technological, trade, manufacturing, innovation and strategic coordination, could help build greater economic and regional collaboration that is more sustainable.