**Executive Summary**
On May 6, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu hosted President To Lam of Vietnam for his first State Visit to India to strengthen bilateral relations. The visit highlighted Vietnam's significance in India's ‘Act East’ policy and resulted in a "Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." Key outcomes include new agreements in rare earth minerals, digital technology, and a commitment to balanced trade expansion.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Framework and Regional Vision**
* Strengthening of bilateral ties through the "Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."
* Integration of India-Vietnam relations into the broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.
* Alignment of cooperation with India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific Vision.
* Acknowledgment of Vietnam’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
**Economic and Technical Cooperation**
* Commitment to expanding bilateral trade in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner.
* New agreements and announcements made regarding rare earth minerals.
* Advancements in cooperation for digital and financial technology.
* Continued collaboration across health, science, technology, and tourism.
**Defence and Security**
* Recognition of defence and security as essential pillars of the bilateral relationship.
* Joint commitment to addressing shared regional challenges.
* Emphasis on promoting regional peace and stability.
**Cultural and Educational Ties**
* Focus on historical, civilizational, and cultural connections.
* New announcements regarding cooperation in education and culture.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India**
**Impact**
The visit reinforces India's regional strategy and deepens diplomatic engagement with a key partner in the Indo-Pacific.
**Action Required**
The administration must work toward implementing the "Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" and the various sectoral agreements.
**Government of Vietnam**
**Impact**
Vietnam secures an enhanced strategic relationship with India, focusing on security, trade, and technological development.
**Action Required**
Vietnamese leadership must collaborate on shared regional security challenges and execute the newly announced agreements in minerals and technology.
**Trade and Industry Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Businesses in the rare earth minerals, fintech, and digital sectors gain new frameworks for bilateral trade and investment.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders should identify specific opportunities arising from the new agreements and the push for balanced trade expansion.
Key Entities Referenced
‘Act East’ policy: India's diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic, and cultural ties with Southeast Asian nations, identifying Vietnam as a key partner.
Indo-Pacific Vision: A strategic framework for regional engagement focused on a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific, central to the India-Vietnam bilateral relationship.
Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: A bilateral policy document outlining the commitment to strengthen and expand relations between India and Vietnam across multiple sectors.
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative: A collaborative regional platform focused on maritime cooperation, which includes participation from Vietnam.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN: The broader regional diplomatic framework within which India's relations with Vietnam are situated.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA HOSTS PRESIDENT OF
VIETNAM
VIET NAM IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF INDIA'S ‘ACT EAST’
POLICY AND INDO-PACIFIC VISION: PRESIDENT DROUPADI
MURMU
Posted On: 06 MAY 2026 9:45PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu received H.E. Mr. To Lam, President of the Socialist
Republic of Viet Nam at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (May 6, 2026). She also hosted a banquet in his
honour.
Welcoming President Lam on his first State Visit to India, the President said that India and Viet Nam share
a deep friendship rooted in historical, civilizational, and cultural ties.
The President noted that in recent years, India-Viet Nam bilateral relations have expanded across high-
level exchanges, defence and security cooperation, development partnership, and sectors such as trade,
health, science & technology, and tourism. She was happy to note that during this visit, agreements and
announcements had been made in important areas such as rare earth minerals, digital and financial
technology, culture, and education.
The President was happy to note that India and Viet Nam have decided to further strengthen relations
through the “Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
The President noted that over the past decade, our bilateral trade has grown significantly, and India is keen
to further expand trade in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner.
The President said that within the framework of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN,
our relations with Viet Nam are an important part of our ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. She
appreciated Viet Nam’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
The President said that defence and security are important pillars of the India-Viet Nam bilateral relations.
She underlined India's commitment to working together with Viet Nam to address shared challenges and
promote regional peace and stability.
The two leaders agreed that close cooperation between India and Viet Nam can bring immense benefits to
our people. The President expressed confidence that under the leadership of President To Lam, the India–
Viet Nam relations will grow even stronger.
Please click here to see the President's speech-***
MJPS/SS/PRK
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