VietNamNet is pleased to present the full text of the speech entitled “Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and India in the New Era: Sharing a Vision, Converging Strategies and Engaging in Concrete Cooperation”, delivered by the general secretary and president To Lam:
Mr. Shri Chandrapuram Ponnusami, Director General of the Indian Council for World Affairs,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Namaste!
I am delighted to visit the Indian Council on World Affairs and meet you, eminent scholars and experts in international relations from India. The Indian World Affairs Council is a premier strategic research institute with an excellent reputation with over 80 years of history. He played a pioneering role in shaping India’s foreign policy. This historic residence, Sapru House, has been the scene of many landmark events in the international relations of India and other Asian and global nations, including Vietnam, bringing together many leaders, politicians and diplomats from around the world.
It was here, in 1947, that a conference of capital importance took place: the First Conference on Asian Relations. It laid the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement and brought together India, Vietnam and other nations seeking independence, peace, cooperation, equitable development and prosperity. President Hô Chi Minh’s message of peace and solidarity at the conference – – “United, we will be among the strongest defenders of peace and democracy in the world†– was warmly received by his Indian and international friends. It was one of the first historic ties uniting the two young independent nations of India and Vietnam, and one of the first multilateral diplomatic events in which independent Vietnam participated.
As part of our discussion today, I would like to tell you about Vietnam-India relations in this new era: a strengthened comprehensive strategic partnership, guided by the principles of shared vision, strategic convergence and concrete cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Considering the thousands of years of formation and development of the two countries, history and culture have become strong bonds uniting India and Vietnam.
Despite their geographic proximity, Vietnam and India have maintained close ties since ancient times. Thanks to maritime trade routes, Indian beliefs, ideologies and religious civilizations spread and were integrated into the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. These connections are visible at hundreds of historic sites across Vietnam, including the Luy Lau Buddhist Center, the UNESCO-listed My Son Shrine, the Cham Towers and the Ponagar Tower – all steeped in Hinduism, Buddhism and the benevolent philosophies of the Vietnamese people. This connection is also manifested in many new and diverse forms, such as the visits and participation of Indian leaders in the celebrations of Vesak, the festival of the Buddha, in Vietnam, including the visit of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu in 2019.
For generations, the Vietnamese have been familiar with the epic Ramayana, a great Indian epic which celebrates and greatly contributes to forging the values of courage, loyalty and self-sacrifice. Originating in India, yoga is growing in popularity in Vietnam, with more than 4,000 yoga clubs across the country and around 500,000 Vietnamese practicing it regularly. Every year, tens of thousands of Vietnamese Buddhists and tourists go on pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, in the state of Bihar.
The historic journey of the struggle for national independence and nation building has forged a deep sense of empathy, close ties and unwavering solidarity between the people and generations of leaders of the two countries. It all began with President Hô Chi Minh’s deep respect for Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi and his unwavering friendship with the first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, both driven by the same desire for independence, peace, justice and prosperous development. We will never forget that Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first foreign head of government to visit Vietnam in 1954, just a week after the complete liberation of Hanoi, demonstrating the immense support of the Indian people and government for the Vietnamese cause. We will never forget the slogan “Mera Nam, Tera Nam, Vietnam – Vietnam” (Your name, my name, our name – Vietnam), chanted in the streets of many Indian cities, a vibrant testimony to the solidarity and close cooperation of the Indian and Vietnamese people in their struggle for peace, independence and freedom. We will also not forget our Indian friends who supported Vietnam during the difficult years following the reunification of the country.
Vietnam will always cherish and remember the immense, deep and invaluable support that the people, political parties and the government of India gave it during the years of struggle to defend its independence and freedom, as well as the concrete support and assistance provided today for the reconstruction and development of the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2. The development journeys of India and Vietnam over the past 80 years have many similarities and have achieved great things.
Above all, these two countries come from extremely difficult, even bloodless, colonial economies, characterized by a low level of development, unbalanced structures and a strong dependence on foreign powers. Driven by the desire for prosperity and well-being for their populations, these two nations have gradually built independent, autonomous and robust economies.
India is now the fastest growing major economy, with a growth rate of 7.6% over the past year, despite a challenging global environment. It has maintained an average annual growth rate of 6% for three decades, making it one of the most important engines of global economic growth. The Indian economy has become the fourth largest in the world and is steadily progressing towards third place. India has emerged as a technology powerhouse, among the world’s most dynamic digital, innovation and artificial intelligence economies. Its technology hubs, such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and its high-level technological training establishments, such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), enjoy international influence. The space program of the Indian Space Organization (ISRO) has positioned India among the most advanced nations in space technology.
After forty years of reforms and deep integration on a regional and global scale, Vietnam has seen its economy reach 514 billion US dollars, an increase of almost 100 compared to the period preceding the reforms. The country ranks 32nd in the world and 4th in ASEAN. Vietnam ranks 44th out of 139 countries in the global innovation index, and its startup ecosystem ranks 55th globally. The poverty rate has fallen dramatically, from more than 70% in the mid-1980s to 2.95% in 2025, according to multidimensional poverty criteria, lifting tens of millions of people out of poverty.
In terms of foreign policy, our two countries share the values of independence, autonomy, internal strength and peace, and favor dialogue as well as a proactive, balanced and responsible approach to regional and global issues. I am particularly impressed by the Indian philosophy “The World is One Family” (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), which emphasizes friendship, respect, solidarity and the aspiration for peace and prosperity – values to which the Vietnamese people constantly aspire. We welcome the responsible contributions of India through cooperation frameworks and strategic connectivity initiatives, the “Act East” policy that strengthens connectivity with Southeast Asia and ASEAN, and the Indo-Pacific Initiative that promotes an open, inclusive and rules-based space. We also appreciate India’s increasingly important role in multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations, G20, BRICS, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Economic and Technical Cooperation multi-sectoral (BIMSTEC), thus helping to promote dialogue, strengthen connectivity and address common challenges.
Vietnam has also successfully assumed many important international responsibilities, such as chairing ASEAN, hosting the APEC summit, serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, and vice-president of the Assembly. General, a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and a member of numerous governing bodies of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)… We have also sent officers and soldiers to contribute to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Vietnam and India, celebrating the centenary of their independence, are setting new development objectives, reconciling growth and social progress, where the role of science and technology is essential. India has defined its Viksit Bharat Vision 2047, aiming to become a developed nation and strike a balance between economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, effective governance and strengthening scientific and technological capabilities.
Vietnam has also set a goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper middle income by 2030, and a high-income developed country by 2045. These are two centenary goals of strategic importance particular, reflecting the aspirations of the Vietnamese nation for the development of the new era.
We are determined to vigorously innovate our growth model, achieve rapid and sustainable development, preserve our independence and autonomy, while integrating fully and effectively into the international community. We are convinced that scientific and technological development, innovation and digital transformation must not be limited to being tools in the service of development, but become its main driver.
Based on trust and close ties, the relationship between the two countries has gradually been built and developed, with the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, their transition to the status of strategic partnership in 2007, then comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, and continued deepening over the years. The volume of bilateral trade has more than tripled in just ten years, reaching a record level of nearly 16.5 billion US dollars in 2025. India currently has more than 400 investment projects in Vietnam, with total capital exceeding 1 billion US dollars. Vietnam benefits from Vinfast’s electric vehicle manufacturing project in India, with an investment commitment of up to US$2 billion in the first five years.
Cooperation in defense and security remains a strategic pillar, with numerous financial support and technology transfer programs. The education and training, tourism and human exchange sectors have also developed, with around 80 weekly direct flights between the two countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. Vietnam-India relations enter a new context.
The world is changing at an unprecedented pace and depth. Competition between major centers of power is intensifying. International law, the United Nations and multilateral institutions are facing unprecedented challenges.
All countries, including Vietnam and India, face the paradoxes of our times: the need for cooperation is growing, but trust is eroding. Economic structures are more interconnected, but also more vulnerable. Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, simultaneously widening the development gap between nations. Change brings considerable challenges; but above all, it also opens up perspectives if we know how to seize them quickly, and these perspectives will multiply if we stay connected.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. The new context and new requirements of the new stage of development of each country require us to consolidate, innovate and elevate Vietnam-India relations to a new level.
The development journey of each country and the evolution of their relations show that Vietnam and India have become natural partners in peace, security and development. We share common perspectives and visions on many issues linked to national construction, the region, the world and international relations. These issues include: (i) autonomy and strategic balance; (ii) respect for international law, support for the United Nations and the multilateral system; (iii) the protection and consolidation of peace, and the diversification of partnerships; (iv) the priority given to dialogue and the search for common ground to reduce differences; (v) support for a just and inclusive regional and international order.
We share many points in common, including: (i) the promotion of peace and stability, the creation of favorable conditions for prosperous development; (ii) increasing converging interests in many areas, from economy, trade, defense and security to science and technology, strengthening connectivity and the strength of bilateral relations; (iii) guaranteeing freedom and security of navigation and aviation, resolving disputes by peaceful means, promoting an open, inclusive and stable Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region; (iv) strengthening coordination within regional multilateral mechanisms.
These ties, shared visions and strategic convergence constitute a solid foundation for Vietnam and India to strengthen their cooperation, thereby effectively contributing to the development of each country in this new era, while helping to shape a more stable and sustainable regional and international environment.
Building on the solid foundation of Vietnam-India relations over the past 50 years, and in order to elevate Vietnam-India cooperation to a new stage and level – a strengthened comprehensive strategic partnership, guided by the principles of shared vision, strategic convergence and cooperation concrete, aimed at unlocking potential and opening new spaces and areas – I hope that we will focus on the implementation of the following main directions:
(i) Above all, it is necessary to strengthen and deepen strategic trust – an essential condition for maintaining stable relations and the basis of effective cooperation and a joint response to common challenges. For more than 50 years, the Vietnam-India relationship has been exceptional, “as clear as a cloudless sky”. in the words of the late Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, it is exceptional and clear because it is based on strong historical and cultural ties, mutual trust, mutual understanding and respect, as well as political coherence, the fruit of generations of leaders and people of the two countries. It is exceptional and clear because the two countries have no conflict of interests. and their cooperation is extremely stable and solid.
In this new phase, we must: (1) continue to strengthen in-depth exchanges in all channels – between the state, the Parliament/National Assembly, political parties, the people of the two countries and at all levels, both central and local; (2) expand cooperation in strategic areas; cooperation in security and defense matters, already good and close, must be improved and deepened; existing coordination mechanisms must be further developed, improving the effectiveness of actions and coordination of positions in the authorities; multilateral organizations, including ASEAN, the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, particularly in the context of the extremely complex regional and international situation.
ii) Second, it is necessary to broaden the scope of connectivity, strengthen connectivity for development and boost regional links. The development of infrastructure, logistics, digitalization and value chains is essential to increase connectivity between the two countries. For highly complementary sectors such as pharmaceuticals, information technology, advanced agriculture and clean energy, there is a need to promote specific cooperation projects, including production joint ventures, technology transfers, market development and increased participation in regional supply chains.
We are ready to cooperate with India in the pharmaceutical sector and encourage Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest in pharmaceutical production in Vietnam for the Southeast Asian market. We will develop mechanisms for direct connections between businesses and local communities through cooperation forums and investment promotion programs, in order to translate cooperation guidelines into specific projects adapted to each sector, each locality and each value chain.
The Vietnam-India relationship constitutes a strategic link between Southeast Asia and South Asia. Through the strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the ASEAN-India framework, the Mekong-Ganges cooperation and regional connectivity initiatives, Vietnam and India can help consolidate a vast, inclusive and dynamic cooperation space.
At the same time, new ideas, new tasks and new areas of cooperation must be linked to a new, determined approach, using implementation progress and concrete results as measures of cooperation effectiveness.
iii) Third, strengthening and accelerating strategic cooperation in science, innovation and technology will constitute a key pillar of Vietnam-India cooperation. Knowledge, technology and innovation have become the main engines of growth, new determining factors of global power and national competitiveness; they demand deeper and more diverse forms of cooperation in future areas such as the digital economy, data, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
We attach particular importance to cooperation with India in science and technology, particularly in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. I am convinced that we can strengthen and deepen our cooperation by promoting the strategic pillar of cooperation in science, innovation and strategic technologies, both at the level of guidance and at the level of implementation. To do this, it is essential to clearly identify the key areas and implementation models, and to set up cooperation programs between research centers, universities and companies, focused on training and the mobility of talents between our two countries.
(iv) Fourth, the dissemination of socio-cultural values and the strengthening of exchanges between peoples. The lasting vitality of relations between countries relies not only on cooperation, but also on the links that unite people and societies. By 2025, nearly a million tourists are expected to travel between Vietnam and India, demonstrating strengthening ties between the two countries. This figure represents significant progress compared to 5 or 6 years ago, but it still remains very low in view of the demographic potential and economic power of the two countries.
We must continue to develop and deepen these links through cooperation in the fields of education and training, culture, tourism, local initiatives and exchanges between people, particularly with younger generations. It is in classrooms, laboratories, research projects and young companies that understanding and trust will be built naturally and sustainably.
The understanding and empathy cultivated over the centuries constitute a precious heritage that must be cherished and preserved. They inspire Vietnam and India to disseminate and enrich positive values for the region and the world. Transmitted and promoted by the younger generation, these values will help consolidate the foundations of bilateral relations for the future.
(v) Fifth, work together to build and strengthen a space of peace and stability. We all deeply understand the value of peace. In the current context, we are increasingly aware that peace is not limited to the absence of war and conflict; it also involves the creation and strengthening of structural, institutional and cultural conditions necessary for lasting peace, justice and human prosperity Peace is not an achievement, but the fruit of sincere dialogue, responsible conduct between nations and unwavering respect for the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. the rule of law, settling disputes peacefully and prioritizing the interests of populations in development not only protect the legitimate interests of each party, but also directly contribute to the maintenance of an open, transparent, inclusive and regional order. rules-based.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A millennia-old history and more than 50 years of diplomatic relations have forged strong and valuable ties between Vietnam and India, drawing their roots in a rich history and many similarities in development. For Vietnam, India has always been an essential partner and a close and loyal friend.
Entering a new era, with a strengthened Global Strategic Partnership reaching new heights and guided by the motto “shared vision, converging strategies and concrete cooperation”, combined with decisive decisions taken by governments, Thanks to the determination, unity and innovative spirit of businesses in both countries, I am confident that Vietnam-India relations will develop even stronger and more substantially. Ties between the two countries will become even stronger, bringing concrete benefits and contributing to each other’s development and contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world.
I wish you all good health and much success!
May the friendship between Vietnam and India remain strong and continue to grow!
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
Source : https://vietnamnet.vn/phat-bieu-chinh-sach-cua-tong-bi-thu-chu-tich-nuoc-ve-quan-he-viet-nam-an-do-2513232.html
