“We believe that Developed India 2047 and Vietnam's Vision 2045 have accelerated development in both countries, opening up many new areas of mutual cooperation. To further strengthen our global strategic partnership, we have therefore adopted a new action plan today,” he said, adding:

1. New steps have been taken for defense and security cooperation. The Army Software Park built in Naya Chang was inaugurated today. The agreed credit line of US$300 million will strengthen Vietnam's maritime security.

2. Cooperation on terrorism and cybersecurity issues will be strengthened.

3. Both sides agree that the revision of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement should be completed as early as possible to realize mutual trade potential.

4. An agreement on digital payment connectivity was reached between the central banks of India and Vietnam.

5. Both sides decided to focus on the green economy and emerging technologies.

6. Our respective capabilities in energy and port development will be utilized for mutual benefit.

7. Efforts will also be made to connect the private sector, small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups of both countries.

Prime Minister Modi described Vietnam as an important partner in India's Act East policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific, stressing that there is a “good alignment” between their views on the Indo-Pacific. “We support evolution, not expansionism,” he noted, adding that the two countries would continue their cooperation for a free, open, rules-based and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Commenting on the progress made under the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Modi noted that bilateral trade has increased by over 85%, while mutual cooperation in energy, technology and development partnership has expanded. At the same time, mutual defence and security cooperation has gained new momentum, he said.

In the last decade, connectivity has increased with over 50 direct flights and tourism has witnessed a continuous rise, Prime Minister Modi stressed, adding that restoration work has been done on the ancient temples in Mi Son. Oh good.

Regular high-level interactions

It was the fifth meeting between the two prime ministers in recent years.

They met three times in 2023 – on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December, on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, in September, and at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, in May. They also met on the sidelines of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Ireland, in November 2021.

India and Vietnam have historical ties and existing relations are strong and diverse, spanning sectors from business to defence.

India-Vietnam relations were upgraded from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Vietnam in September 2016. In December 2020, Prime Minister Modi and former Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc co-chaired a virtual summit and presented India and Vietnam's shared vision for peace, prosperity and people.