In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations, Narendra Modi and To Lam oversaw the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between India and Vietnam in New Delhi on Wednesday. The agreements span a wide range of sectors including digital technology, rare earths, medical product regulation, public sector audit, digital payments, and culture and tourism.
The MoUs were formalized following extensive bilateral talks between the two leaders, during which they discussed the full spectrum of India-Vietnam relations as well as pressing regional and global issues. Highlighting the importance of the visit, Prime Minister Modi noted that President To Lam’s first State Visit to India, within a month of assuming office, reflects Vietnam’s strong commitment to enhancing ties with India.
A key highlight of the cooperation is cultural preservation. India is currently involved in restoring the ancient My Son and Nhan Tau temple complexes, which are part of Vietnam’s historic Champa civilization. Prime Minister Modi also announced that India will undertake the digitization of ancient Champa manuscripts, ensuring the preservation of this rich cultural heritage for future generations.
Emphasizing the blend of heritage and development in the partnership, Modi recalled the overwhelming response in Vietnam when Buddhist relics from India were displayed last year. Over 1.5 crore people, nearly 15 percent of Vietnam’s population, participated in viewing the relics, underscoring the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between the two nations.
On the economic front, the agreements are expected to facilitate greater market access and smoother trade flows. The MoU between drug regulatory authorities will enhance the availability of Indian medicines in Vietnam. Additionally, sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and animal products are set to benefit from streamlined export processes.
Financial cooperation is also set to expand, with both nations agreeing to strengthen collaboration between their central banks. Notably, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will soon be linked with Vietnam’s fast payment system, boosting digital financial connectivity between the two economies.
Strategically, Vietnam continues to be a crucial partner in India’s Act East Policy and its Vision Ocean initiative. Both countries share a common outlook on maintaining peace, stability, and adherence to international law in the Indo-Pacific region. Enhanced defence and security cooperation is expected to further reinforce this shared vision.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed gratitude to Vietnam for its strong condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and its solidarity with India in combating terrorism.
President To Lam, in his remarks, reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to deepening ties with India, highlighting the significance of 50 years of diplomatic relations and a decade of comprehensive strategic partnership. He emphasized the need to align strategic visions and development strategies to effectively navigate global uncertainties.
The latest agreements mark a new chapter in India-Vietnam relations, reinforcing their partnership as both nations seek to expand cooperation across diverse sectors while maintaining strong cultural and strategic connections.
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