Vietnam and India have taken significant steps to enhance their economic partnership, aiming for a bilateral trade goal of $25 billion. To achieve this, both nations have agreed to work on improving market access and business activities. Key areas of focus include logistics, air travel, seaport connections, and retail payment systems.
The discussions took place during the 19th Vietnam-India Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation, co-chaired by Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Hoai Trung, and India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in New Delhi. They reviewed progress made since their last meeting in Hanoi in October 2023 and are committed to overcoming challenges and advancing collaborative projects that yield immediate and concrete outcomes.
Both countries acknowledged the importance of addressing market-access issues and optimizing their complementary strengths to reach the ambitious trade target. To support this, Jaishankar encouraged Vietnam to facilitate the entry of Indian goods, including pharmaceuticals, fruits, and meat, and emphasized the ongoing cooperation in oil and gas sectors.
Trung expressed support for further discussions on technical matters and market access during the next bilateral trade subcommittee meeting scheduled for 2026. He also welcomed Indian investments in vital sectors such as infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and energy.
Recognizing the significance of infrastructure, logistics, and connectivity for economic relations, the two nations agreed to increase direct flights, improve road and rail networks, and enhance seaport connectivity as part of the Asia-Europe shipping route. They are also pursuing the development of a two-way QR-code retail payment system to ease transactions.
On the diplomatic side, the ministers agreed to continue promoting exchanges across various channels, including political and parliamentary discussions, to foster political trust and mutual understanding. They also discussed plans for the upcoming 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027, considering potential cultural exchanges and designating the year as a friendship year.
In the field of science and technology, both parties plan to establish subcommittees to enhance cooperation in these areas. Trung suggested developing a long-term strategy focusing on strategic and emerging technologies, joint research initiatives, and strengthening connections among universities, research institutes, and businesses.
In terms of regional and global matters, the ministers affirmed their commitment to working together in international forums like the United Nations. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s support of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and reiterated India’s commitment to ASEAN, urging Vietnam to collaborate with ASEAN member states to expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement.
