New Delhi, Sept 15 (NVI) India and Vietnam have identified the way forward for greater defence cooperation, including the co-production of Indian defence items, while also seeking to expand mutually beneficial supply chains and investment.
These issues were discussed during the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart Le Hoai Trung, in New Delhi.
The meeting reviewed the full range of bilateral relations under the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The discussions also covered greater market access for Indian marine and agricultural products and pharmaceuticals, along with cooperation in financial, port and air connectivity.
India and Vietnam also explored opportunities in nuclear energy and the space sector, as well as heritage conservation, standards for seafarers, capacity building and people-to-people exchanges.
The ministers noted that Vietnamese leader To Lam’s discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including during his state visit to India in May 2026, had provided fresh momentum to bilateral ties.
The two sides also agreed to observe 2027 as the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship, marking 55 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Vietnam’s engagement with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was also welcomed, while the ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination in regional and multilateral forums.
The two countries expressed satisfaction over the growing trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to hold the next Joint Commission Meeting at a mutually convenient date.
Vietnam remains a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, with the two countries seeking to build on longstanding civilisational links and expand cooperation into emerging areas. (NVI)
