**Executive Summary**
On May 7, 2026, India and Vietnam held high-level bilateral talks in New Delhi to accelerate joint engagement in science, technology, and innovation. The meeting focused on deepening cooperation in emerging sectors such as AI and semiconductors while strengthening institutional mechanisms under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Key action items include the nomination of ministerial nodal points and the preparation of a concrete action plan to be reviewed at the next Joint Committee Meeting.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Priority Areas of Collaboration**
* Advancing cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) missions, cybersecurity frameworks, and deep technologies.
* Focusing on semiconductors, robotics, biotechnology, digital technologies, and innovation-led research.
* Sharing Indian best practices and experiences in technology transfer initiatives.
* **Institutional and Administrative Strengthening**
* Continued use of the Joint Committee mechanism between the two Ministries to oversee bilateral engagement.
* Vietnam to nominate a Deputy Minister-level representative to coordinate future engagements with India.
* Proposal to establish dedicated nodal points from both Ministries for regular coordination and the creation of implementable action plans.
* **Startup and Research Ecosystems**
* Proposed expansion of engagement between startups, innovators, and research institutions from both nations.
* Development of startup exchange programmes, co-innovation centres, and industry-linked research partnerships.
* Emphasis on creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and young researchers in frontier technology sectors.
* **Regional and Historical Context**
* Recognition of the long-standing cultural and historical linkages and the momentum gained since the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s visit to India in August 2024.
* Utilization of the India-ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation programmes, including research fellowships and training for Vietnamese scientists.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government Ministries (Ministry of Science & Technology)**
**Impact:** Both ministries are now tasked with formalizing a structured framework for cooperation and maintaining regular diplomatic engagement.
**Action Required:** Nominate dedicated nodal points and a Deputy Minister-level representative to draft and coordinate the execution of a concrete bilateral action plan.
**Startups and Entrepreneurs**
**Impact:** These stakeholders will gain access to new cross-border markets, exchange programmes, and innovation hubs.
**Action Required:** Monitor and participate in upcoming startup exchange programmes and co-innovation initiatives as they are implemented.
**Researchers and Academic Institutions**
**Impact:** Enhanced opportunities for collaborative research, particularly in deep tech and biotechnology, supported by institutional fellowships and industry links.
**Action Required:** Apply for available fellowships under the India-ASEAN framework and seek partnerships through proposed research hubs and innovation platforms.
Key Entities Referenced
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: The foundational bilateral framework between India and Vietnam that drives cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.
India-Vietnam Joint Committee Meeting (JCM): The primary institutional mechanism for structured coordination and implementation of bilateral science and technology initiatives.
Act East Policy: India's strategic diplomatic initiative under which Vietnam is a key partner for regional engagement and technological collaboration.
India-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation programmes: A regional cooperation framework that provides the foundation for collaborative research and technology-driven growth between the two nations.
India-ASEAN Research and Training Fellowship: A specific program enabling researchers from Vietnam to pursue scientific fellowships and joint projects in various technology domains.
Ministry of Science & Technology
India and Vietnam Strengthen Science &
Technology Partnership Through High-Level
Talks, Expand Cooperation in AI, Deep-Tech and
Innovation
Dr. Jitendra Singh Holds Bilateral Talks with Vietnam Minister
of Science and Technology
India, Vietnam Agree to Accelerate Joint Engagement in
Science, Technology and Innovation
Posted On: 07 MAY 2026 4:00PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of
State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh
today held bilateral talks with Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Minister of Science and Technology of the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam, in New Delhi, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in emerging
technologies, innovation, research and startup ecosystems.
The discussions focused on advancing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, deep
technologies, semiconductors, robotics, biotechnology, digital technologies and innovation-led research,
while also strengthening institutional mechanisms between the two countries in science and technology.
Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, Dr. Jitendra Singh described India and Vietnam as civilizational
partners connected by nearly two thousand years of shared cultural and historical linkages. He said the
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries has gained new momentum over the last
decade and acquired greater depth following the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to India in
August 2024.
The Minister said Vietnam remains an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision,
adding that the growing India-ASEAN engagement in science, technology and innovation provides a
strong foundation for collaborative research, innovation and technology-driven growth. He said the
present engagement offers an important opportunity to further elevate bilateral cooperation in frontier
areas of science and technology.
Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to India’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem and proposed stronger
engagement between startups, innovators and research institutions of the two countries. He said India and
Vietnam can work together to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and young researchers in
emerging technology sectors.The Minister also referred to Vietnam’s active participation in India-ASEAN Science, Technology and
Innovation programmes. Around ten researchers from Vietnam have availed fellowships under the India-
ASEAN Research and Training Fellowship programme, while several joint projects are currently
underway in different domains of science and technology. Vietnamese innovators and women scientists
have also participated in innovation and scientific forums organised under regional cooperation
frameworks.
The two sides discussed the proposed next India-Vietnam Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) and reviewed
preparations for advancing bilateral engagement in science, technology and innovation through structured
institutional cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan welcomed the growing engagement between the two countries in science and
technology and expressed Vietnam’s interest in developing structured collaboration in deep technologies
with practical applications and societal benefits. He proposed nomination of dedicated nodal points from
both Ministries for regular coordination and preparation of a concrete action plan to translate bilateral
initiatives into implementable outcomes.
The Vietnamese Minister also supported continuation of the Joint Committee mechanism between the two
Ministries and informed that Vietnam would nominate a Deputy Minister-level representative to
coordinate future engagements with the Indian side.
During the discussions, both sides also exchanged views on cooperation in Artificial Intelligence missions,
cybersecurity frameworks, innovation ecosystems and technology transfer initiatives. India expressed
readiness to share its experiences and best practices in these areas.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing academic and institutional engagements between the two countries,
including collaborations involving research institutions, innovation hubs and technology incubation
platforms. Discussions covered possibilities for startup exchange programmes, co-innovation centres and
industry-linked research partnerships.
India and Vietnam share a strong and expanding partnership under their Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership framework, with science and technology emerging as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation.
Both sides agreed to maintain regular engagement and work towards translating the outcomes of the
bilateral dialogue into concrete collaborative initiatives delivering technological, economic and societal
benefits for the people of both countries.*****
NKR/AK
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