Vietnam President Mr. To Lam visit to India in May 2026 is distinct in its content as well as symbolism. From a politico-diplomatic prism, the purpose of the visit is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The CSP has flourished since its signing in 2016, and both sides have nurtured and promoted the relationship without any hurdles or external pressures.

In that context, both countries acknowledge that it is time to take the relationship to new levels and have agreed to raise the status of bilateral relations to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on “shared vision, strategic convergence, substantive cooperation’, further translating the enormous goodwill into tangible outcomes”.

In their respective customary remarks, both General Secretary, President To Lam and Prime Minister Modi congratulated each other for the “significant achievements in national development, high economic growth” and “underlined that deepening India – Vietnam ties will continue to bring mutual benefit to their peoples and contribute meaningfully towards achieving their respective national goals, i.e. India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viet Nam’s Vision 2045”.

President To Lam complimented Prime Minister Modi for India’s initiatives to “strengthen multilateralism and promote Global South cooperation”; the latter resonates with Vietnam wherein the country is a key member of the Global South and has positioned itself as an important stakeholder to promote the role of developing countries in global governance.

The May 06, 2026 “Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of India and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” is quite exhaustive and is a reflection of the two leader’s vision of building on the 2026 India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and “translating the enormous goodwill into tangible outcomes”. Both sides appear committed to develop the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the spirit of ‘shared vision, strategic convergence, substantive cooperation’. The Joint Statement has enumerated numerous issues for cooperation that span Political – Diplomatic – Economic – Security - Science and Technology – Development Partnership -Health milieu.

Significantly, both leaders appear to be concerned about the evolving global disorder and erosion of rule of law at sea. They affirmed commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and stressed the importance of “peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, while pursuing the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the without resorting to threat or use of force”. In fact this has been a recurring issue in the many joint statements issued by the governments of India and Vietnam in the past too.

The decision by both leaders to enhance bilateral trade to $25 billion by 2030 is noteworthy. “Critical minerals, rare earths, and ​energy cooperation” feature high on the agenda and both sides plan to highlight economic security ‌and ⁠supply chain resilience as critical for respective growth.

Similarly, India and Vietnam have agreed to continue accord priority to defence cooperation being pursued under multiple agreements and arrangements. i.e. Joint Vision Statement on India- Viet Nam Defence Partnership towards 2030; Defence Lines of Credit; Mutual Logistics Support Agreement; Memorandum of Agreement on Submarine Search and Rescue Support and Cooperation; Letter of Intent on Strengthening Defence Industrial Cooperation; and Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).

The 15th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogues (November 10, 2025) identifies numerous areas for cooperation and the Letters of Intent signed to “strengthen defence industry cooperation for promotion of transfer of technology, prioritise high-tech and core-technology domains, joint ventures, and procurement of equipment and materials for defence production, as well as exchange of experts, design, and production of equipment” are significant.

The Indian media was rife with speculation on the possible sale of military hardware (Brahmos supersonic missiles) to Vietnam for at least two reasons. First Vietnam has rich experience of operating Soviet/Russian military equipment such as the Su-30 fighter jets, warships and Kilo Class submarines. These platforms are also in the Indian inventory and have been fitted with the Brahmos supersonic missiles. Second, the Philippines acquired the Brahmos missile system (2022; US$375 million) primarily to thwart Chinese military capability and Indonesia (2026; US$340 million). Indian defence experts believe that the missile would be useful for Vietnam too after its successes in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. It is fair to assume that the issue come up for discussions, and Vietnamese side may have decided to continue deliberations.

Meanwhile the Vietnamese media has labelled the visit as reflection of “diversification of external relations” keeping in mind that President To Lam chose China as his first overseas visit (14 – 17 April 2026) soon after being reappointed as the State President .

On his part, Prime Ministry Modi did not miss the opportunity to tweet that the very fact that President Mr. To Lam has “visited India within a month of becoming President and that he has come along with a high-level delegation clearly reflects the priority he attaches to India-Vietnam relations.”

Dr.Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is associated with the Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.