Politburo Member, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung co-chairs 19th Meeting of the Vietnam-India Joint Committee
WVR - At the invitation of Minister of External Affairs of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on September 14, in the capital New Delhi (India), Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, and Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar co-chaired the 19th Meeting of the Vietnam-India Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation.
Latest
 |
| Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar co-chair the 19th Meeting of the Vietnam-India Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation. (Photo: Dinh Nam) |
Attending the meeting were representatives from relevant agencies, ministries, and sectors of both countries and the Vietnamese Representative Missions in India.
At the meeting, Minister Le Hoai Trung congratulated India on successfully hosting the 18th BRICS Summit.
The Minister expressed thanks to the Indian Government and Ministry of External Affairs for the warm and thoughtful reception given to the very successful State visit of General Secretary, President To Lam in May 2026, and for Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and the Vietnamese delegation during their participation in the BRICS Summit and other successful bilateral activities in India.
The Minister affirmed that Vietnam values its traditional friendship with India, emphasizing the significance of elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting high political trust and strategic convergence between the two countries, opening a new phase for bilateral relations.
The Minister shared insights on Vietnam's situation, highlighting that both countries share many similarities in their development aspirations, providing opportunities to enhance cooperation across various fields.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar congratulated Vietnam on its significant achievements in socio-economic development and foreign policy implementation; affirming that India always values strengthening and developing its traditional friendship with Vietnam, emphasizing that Vietnam is an important pillar of India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision, and plays a crucial role in ASEAN-India relations.
Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized that Vietnam is a key partner of BRICS, and highly appreciated the participation of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and the Vietnamese delegation at this BRICS Summit.
Both sides reviewed and were pleased to note the strong developments since the 18th Joint Committee Meeting in October 2023 in Hanoi; agreeing to closely coordinate to materialize high-level commitments and agreements, promptly address obstacles, and promote the implementation of cooperation programs, projects, and activities with clear results and ensured progress.
Both sides agreed to continue maintaining high-level exchanges and contacts at all levels, through Party, State, National Assembly channels, and people-to-people exchanges; effectively utilize dialogue mechanisms to further consolidate political trust and mutual understanding; agreeing to closely coordinate in preparing practical activities to commemorate the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-India diplomatic relations in 2027, considering making 2027 the year of friendship between the two countries and organizing cultural and people-to-people exchange activities.
 |
| Overview of the meeting. (Source: VOV) |
Regarding defense and security, both sides agreed to enhance delegation exchanges, dialogues, and consultations, to soon organize the first Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy-Defense (2+2), implement cooperation activities in training, technology transfer, capacity building; strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime and cybersecurity. Both sides agreed to maintain the Maritime Security Dialogue and expand maritime cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
In terms of economy, trade, and investment, both sides agreed to better exploit the complementarities of the two economies, resolve market access issues, facilitate businesses, aiming to increase trade turnover to 25 billion USD.
Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar requested Vietnam to facilitate market access for Indian-origin products such as pharmaceuticals, fruits, meat, and maintain cooperation in oil and gas exploration and extraction.
Minister Le Hoai Trung agreed that both sides would continue discussions at the bilateral trade cooperation subcommittee meeting scheduled for 2026 to specifically address technical and market access issues.
The Minister welcomed Indian businesses to invest in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, energy, and develop a long-term vision in the Vietnamese market.
Both sides highly appreciated the role of infrastructure, logistics, and aviation connectivity in expanding economic cooperation space; agreed to continue promoting increased frequency of direct flights, road, and rail connections from India to Vietnam, as well as connecting the seaports of Vietnam and India linked to the Asia-Europe maritime route; to soon implement two-way QR code retail payment connectivity.
Regarding science and technology, both sides agreed to soon organize subcommittees on science-technology and digital technology cooperation.
Minister Le Hoai Trung proposed that both sides consider developing a long-term science-technology cooperation strategy, focusing on strategic and emerging technologies; establishing joint research projects, enhancing connections between research institutes, universities, and businesses in the innovation ecosystem.
Both sides agreed to leverage the unique advantages of historical, cultural, and religious ties to promote cultural, tourism, and people-to-people cooperation; enhance consultation mechanisms on consular affairs, and increase two-way tourist flows.
India affirmed its continued support for the conservation and restoration of Cham tower groups in Central Vietnam, providing short and long-term scholarships for Vietnam.
Vietnam agreed to encourage students to study in India and is ready to welcome Indian students to study Vietnamese.
On regional and international issues, the two Ministers affirmed continued close coordination and mutual support at the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar welcomed Vietnam's sponsorship of a pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI); affirmed India's support for ASEAN's central role and ASEAN-led mechanisms; expressed a desire for Vietnam to continue coordinating with ASEAN countries to promote the early completion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
 |
| The two Ministers exchange the Meeting Minutes. (Source: VOV) |
Concluding the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar signed the Minutes of the 19th Meeting of the Vietnam-India Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation.
