India And Vietnam Adopt ‘New Plan Of Action’ To Strengthen Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that India and Vietnam are set to further enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by adopting a “new plan of action.” Emphasizing the ongoing development goals of India’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and Vietnam’s ‘Vision 2045,’ Modi highlighted the expansion of mutual cooperation in new areas.

During a media address alongside Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Modi noted, “New steps have been taken for cooperation in the field of defense and security. The Army Software Park built in Nha Trang was inaugurated today. The agreed US$300 million credit line will strengthen Vietnam’s maritime security. We have also decided that cooperation will be strengthened on the issues of terrorism and cyber security.”

The two leaders engaged in bilateral discussions, with Modi hosting a luncheon for the high-level Vietnamese delegation, which included several ministers, deputy ministers, and business leaders.

Modi highlighted the growth and deepening of relations between New Delhi and Hanoi over the past decade, transforming into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “Our bilateral trade has increased by more than 85 percent. Mutual cooperation has expanded in energy, technology, and development partnerships. Mutual cooperation in defense and security areas has gained new momentum. Over the past decade, connectivity has increased. And today we have more than 50 direct flights between the two countries. Along with this, tourism is continuously increasing, and people have also been given the e-visa facility,” said Modi.

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He also praised the Archaeological Survey of India’s conservation work at the UNESCO heritage site of My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam’s Quang Nam province, highlighting the shared spiritual heritage of Buddhism and inviting Vietnamese people to visit India’s Buddhist circuit and Nalanda University.

Since establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Modi’s 2016 visit to Hanoi, India-Vietnam relations have significantly strengthened. Modi reaffirmed Vietnam’s role as a crucial pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and the Indo-Pacific vision, aiming to enhance bilateral ties, including the defense partnership, and expedite existing initiatives.

“In our Act East policy and our Indo-Pacific vision, Vietnam is our important partner. There is a good agreement between our views about the Indo-Pacific. We support evolution, not expansionism. We will continue cooperating for a free, open, rules-based, prosperous Indo-Pacific. We welcome Vietnam’s decision to join CDRI,” Modi stated.

The two countries have also agreed with their central banks for digital payment connectivity, focusing on green economy and emerging technologies. Modi emphasized the importance of concluding the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement to realize mutual trade potential and harness each other’s capabilities in energy and port development for mutual benefit. Efforts will also be made to connect the private sector, small and medium enterprises, and start-ups in both countries.

Earlier in the day, Pham Minh Chinh received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.