General Secretary and State President To Lam departed today with a high-level delegation for a state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to the press ahead of the visit, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Tshering W. Sherpa highlighted its significance and reflected on key milestones in bilateral relations.

He described the visit as an important event for both nations, noting that the Government of India places great importance on the occasion. The presence of Vietnam’s top leader and meetings with senior Indian officials are expected to inject fresh momentum into a relationship already described as strong and dynamic. India, he said, warmly welcomes To Lam.

Vietnam and India established diplomatic relations in 1972 and elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016. According to the ambassador, “the sky is not the limit” for bilateral relations, which are forward-looking and grounded in a long-term vision.

The friendship between the two countries is built on shared values, mutual trust, and respect. The ambassador emphasized that the time has come to translate these values into concrete outcomes.

“Our journey has only just begun. Let us look forward to the outcomes when leaders of both sides meet in Delhi,” he said.

Looking back at history, the ambassador noted that Vietnam and India are ancient civilizations with connections dating back thousands of years. The two countries have exchanged ideas and cultural values while coexisting peacefully. Buddhism, he said, serves as a sacred bridge linking their peoples.

Today, India maintains dynamic cooperation with Vietnam across multiple sectors.

In political relations, leaders from both countries have met more than 25 times since 2016, reflecting shared strategic interests and strong goodwill.

Bilateral trade has doubled over the past decade and now stands at US$16 billion. However, the ambassador noted that there remains significant room for further growth.

A few years ago, there were no direct flights between the two countries. Today, nearly 90 flights operate weekly, boosting tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and trade. In 2025 alone, nearly 900,000 travelers moved between Vietnam and India.

In defense and security, cooperation spans all levels, including the VINBAX joint exercise focused on United Nations peacekeeping operations.

People-to-people exchanges have also seen meaningful milestones. The enshrinement of sacred relics of Gautama Buddha in Vietnam last year was described as a memorable moment.

The ambassador stressed that people are the most important element in any friendship.

Both countries, he noted, possess strong human resources with ambition and entrepreneurial skills. The challenge now is to translate these advantages into tangible outcomes, particularly in trade.

Beyond traditional areas, the two sides are encouraged to explore new fields of cooperation such as information and communications technology, innovation, science and technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, pharmaceuticals, as well as automotive, transport, and connectivity.

India, he affirmed, stands ready to work closely with Vietnam to realize these opportunities and deliver benefits to both societies.

In multilateral cooperation, the ambassador reiterated that Vietnam is a key and central partner in India’s Act East policy and its Indo-Pacific vision.

Indian Prime Minister has previously stated that “the 21st century belongs to India and ASEAN.” Notably, 2026 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year.

The ambassador underscored that the enduring friendship between the two nations is rooted in shared values, trust, and solidarity. India remains committed to strengthening its dynamic Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and advancing together toward the future.

Tran Thuong