In 2024, Vietnam and India adopted an Action Plan for the 2024–2028 period to implement their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The framework reinforces traditional cooperation while expanding into emerging sectors such as innovation, digital transformation, energy, and sustainable development, reflecting a forward-looking bilateral agenda.
Economic cooperation continues to stand out as a key driver of the partnership. Over the past decade, bilateral trade has recorded steady growth, rising from over USD 14 billion in 2023 to nearly USD 16.5 billion in 2025. This growth highlights increasing economic integration between the two dynamic Asian economies. Trade patterns reveal strong complementarity, with Vietnam exporting electronics, machinery, processed agricultural products, wood, and seafood, while India supplies steel, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles.
Amid global supply chain restructuring, both countries are intensifying efforts to diversify partnerships and reduce dependency risks. This shift opens significant opportunities for strengthening supply chain linkages in manufacturing, supporting industries, logistics, and high-technology agriculture. Vietnam’s strategic location in Southeast Asia positions it as a gateway for Indian enterprises to access ASEAN markets, while India offers a vast and rapidly expanding consumer base.
Science and technology cooperation is emerging as a critical new driver of bilateral engagement. Collaboration has evolved from basic exchanges to targeted initiatives aligned with development needs. Priority areas include information technology, biotechnology, clean energy, and digital transformation. Key projects such as the Satellite Data Receiving Station, Satellite Image Processing Center, Vietnam–India Nuclear Science Center in Da Lat, Army Software Park in Nha Trang, and the Center of Excellence in Software Development and Training have strengthened Vietnam’s technological capacity.
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program continues to play a vital role in human resource development, enabling Vietnamese officials and experts to access modern management practices and technical expertise. In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, both countries are exploring expanded cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, financial technology, and biotechnology, aiming for joint innovation and shared growth.
Environmental cooperation and sustainable development are also gaining prominence as climate challenges intensify. Both nations are focusing on renewable energy, water resource management, circular economy models, and disaster-resilient infrastructure. Agreements in marine science and Quick Impact Projects supporting local communities, including clean water supply, drought mitigation, and saline intrusion prevention in the Mekong Delta, have yielded tangible outcomes.
Vietnam’s participation in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, initiated by India, further enhances opportunities for collaboration in sustainable infrastructure and climate adaptation. Future cooperation is expected to expand into solar energy, energy storage, waste management, marine pollution monitoring, and early warning systems for natural disasters.
The outlook for Vietnam–India relations remains highly positive. Strong political commitment, economic complementarity, and technological collaboration provide a solid foundation for advancing ties, particularly in the digital economy, green economy, and innovation sectors. The anticipated state visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to India in May 2026 is expected to mark a significant milestone in elevating bilateral relations.
To fully realize these opportunities, both sides are expected to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen intergovernmental mechanisms, and translate strategic commitments into actionable programs with clear timelines and resources. Efforts in the economic domain will focus on removing trade barriers, improving logistics connectivity, and advancing the review and upgrade of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement, alongside promoting large-scale investments in pharmaceuticals, marine economy, renewable energy, and supporting industries.
In science and technology, expanding joint research mechanisms, strengthening collaboration among academic institutions and enterprises, and enhancing technology transfer and training initiatives will be critical. Environmental cooperation will prioritize building a comprehensive green framework centered on water management, marine science, plastic pollution reduction, clean energy, and resilient infrastructure, while leveraging regional initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
As the Indo-Pacific landscape evolves, Vietnam–India relations are poised to deepen further, driven by shared strategic interests and a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, positioning the partnership as a key stabilizing and growth-oriented force in the region.
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