India–Vietnam Relations: The Strategic Partnership Shaping the Indo-Pacific

India–Vietnam Relations: The Strategic Partnership Shaping the Indo-Pacific

Why Vietnam Has Become One of India's Most Important Partners in Southeast Asia

In the rapidly changing geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific, India and Vietnam are emerging as two increasingly important partners.

Their relationship is not based on a temporary strategic calculation.

It has developed over decades through diplomacy, defence cooperation, economic engagement, cultural links and a shared interest in maintaining a stable and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

In 2026, this relationship entered a new phase.

During Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam's State Visit to India in May 2026, India and Vietnam agreed to elevate their relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The upgrade signalled that the relationship was moving beyond traditional diplomatic cooperation towards a broader partnership involving defence, maritime security, technology, trade, connectivity, space, cyber security and emerging technologies.

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1. A Friendship Built Over Decades

India and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1972.

But their relationship goes much deeper than the formal establishment of diplomatic ties.

India's relationship with Vietnam developed around the principles of anti-colonialism, national sovereignty and peaceful coexistence.

The legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Ho Chi Minh also became an important symbolic bridge between the two countries.

Over the decades, India supported Vietnam's development while Vietnam became an increasingly important partner for India in Southeast Asia.

In 2016, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam, the relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The relationship was further institutionalised through the Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People adopted in 2020.

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2. The 2026 Upgrade

The most important development came in May 2026.

Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam visited India from 5–7 May 2026.

During the visit, India and Vietnam agreed on an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two sides also agreed to accelerate implementation of their 2024–2028 Plan of Action.

This is significant because the new framework covers almost every major strategic sector.

These include:

- Defence

- Maritime security

- Trade

- Investment

- Cyber security

- Artificial intelligence

- Space

- Science and technology

- Agriculture

- Health

- Education

- Connectivity

- Energy

- Critical minerals

- People-to-people relations

In other words, the relationship is no longer limited to traditional diplomacy.

It is becoming a multi-domain strategic partnership.

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3. Why Vietnam Matters to India

Vietnam occupies a strategically important position in Southeast Asia.

Its coastline faces the South China Sea, one of the world's most strategically sensitive maritime regions.

Vietnam is also an important member of ASEAN.

For India, Vietnam therefore has significance on three levels:

First — Southeast Asia

Vietnam is an important pillar of India's Act East Policy.

Second — Indo-Pacific

Vietnam is an important partner in India's broader Indo-Pacific vision.

Third — Maritime security

Vietnam's geographical location gives it considerable importance in discussions surrounding freedom of navigation and maritime stability.

India's own Indo-Pacific strategy therefore naturally intersects with Vietnam's strategic interests.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described Vietnam in September 2026 as a key partner in India's Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR and India's Indo-Pacific outlook.

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4. Defence: The Most Important Pillar

Defence cooperation has become one of the strongest components of India–Vietnam relations.

The two countries have been expanding:

- military training

- naval cooperation

- defence exchanges

- port visits

- hydrographic cooperation

- maritime security

- UN peacekeeping cooperation

- defence technology

- cyber security

- defence industry cooperation

The two sides have also been working under the Joint Vision Statement on India–Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030.

India has extended defence Lines of Credit to Vietnam, helping strengthen Vietnamese defence capabilities.

The two countries also have a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, allowing deeper operational cooperation between their armed forces.

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5. India's Defence Diplomacy

India's relationship with Vietnam is an important example of India's changing defence diplomacy.

India is increasingly moving from:

“buyer–seller relationships”

towards:

“training + technology + capacity building + industrial cooperation.”

Vietnamese military personnel receive training in India.

India has also supported Vietnam through specialised training programmes and capacity-building initiatives.

The two countries are exploring cooperation in newer areas such as:

- Artificial Intelligence

- Cyber security

- Information sharing

- Defence technology

- Military medicine

- Defence production

This shows that the partnership is gradually becoming more technologically sophisticated.

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6. AI and Quantum Technology

One of the most interesting developments came in May 2026.

India and Vietnam signed an understanding covering Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technology.

India also announced the establishment of an AI Lab at Vietnam's Telecommunications University in Nha Trang.

This is important because the future battlefield will not be determined only by tanks, ships and aircraft.

It will increasingly depend upon:

AI + cyber + quantum technologies + satellites + data.

India and Vietnam therefore have an opportunity to build cooperation in precisely the areas that will shape future security.

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7. Maritime Security

The maritime dimension is perhaps the most strategically important part of the partnership.

Both India and Vietnam are maritime nations.

Both have significant interests in maintaining:

- freedom of navigation

- maritime safety

- secure sea lanes

- search and rescue cooperation

- maritime domain awareness

- international law at sea

In May 2025, the Indian and Vietnamese navies conducted their first bilateral joint hydrographic survey off the Vietnamese coast.

Both sides subsequently agreed to conduct similar activities regularly.

Hydrography may sound technical, but strategically it matters enormously.

Accurate knowledge of the seabed and maritime environment supports:

navigation + search and rescue + maritime safety + naval operations.

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8. South China Sea: The Strategic Background

India does not seek confrontation in the South China Sea.

But India has repeatedly supported a rules-based maritime order and freedom of navigation.

Vietnam, meanwhile, has major territorial and maritime interests in the South China Sea.

This creates an area of strategic convergence.

India's approach is therefore based on:

international law + freedom of navigation + peaceful resolution of disputes + respect for sovereignty.

This is one reason Vietnam fits naturally into India's Indo-Pacific strategy.

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9. India and ASEAN

Vietnam is not simply an individual partner.

It is also a gateway into the wider ASEAN ecosystem.

For India, stronger relations with Vietnam can help strengthen India's broader engagement with Southeast Asia.

Vietnam's support for India's increasing role in regional and international institutions is therefore strategically valuable.

The two countries have agreed to continue coordinating in multilateral forums and supporting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

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10. Trade Relations

Defence gets most of the headlines.

But economics could eventually become just as important.

India and Vietnam are two rapidly growing Asian economies.

The two countries want to increase bilateral trade significantly.

In their 2026 joint statement, the leaders set a new bilateral trade target of:

$25 billion by 2030

They also agreed to improve market access and facilitate agricultural trade.

This creates opportunities for companies in:

- pharmaceuticals

- agriculture

- electronics

- textiles

- machinery

- technology

- energy

- infrastructure

- chemicals

- food processing

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11. India and Vietnam's Supply Chains

The global economy is increasingly moving towards supply-chain diversification.

Companies do not want to depend excessively on one country for critical manufacturing.

This creates an opportunity for India and Vietnam.

Both countries can cooperate in developing:

resilient Asian supply chains.

Vietnam has developed a strong manufacturing ecosystem.

India has a huge domestic market, expanding manufacturing capabilities and a large technology sector.

Together, the two economies can potentially complement each other.

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12. Critical Minerals and Rare Earths

Another strategically important area is critical minerals.

Modern economies require minerals for:

- semiconductors

- batteries

- electronics

- electric vehicles

- defence systems

- renewable energy

- advanced manufacturing

Vietnam has significant rare-earth resources.

India is also attempting to strengthen its critical-mineral supply chains.

Therefore, cooperation in rare earths and critical minerals could become an important component of the future partnership.

The issue was among the areas highlighted during the 2026 state visit.

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13. Pharmaceuticals

India's pharmaceutical industry is one of its strongest global assets.

Vietnam, meanwhile, has a growing healthcare market.

Greater cooperation could involve:

- generic medicines

- pharmaceutical manufacturing

- healthcare technology

- medical education

- research

- medical equipment

This is an area where India's technological and industrial capabilities can complement Vietnam's growing demand.

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14. Space Cooperation

India's space programme is another potential pillar.

India has developed considerable capabilities in:

- satellites

- remote sensing

- navigation

- communications

- disaster monitoring

Vietnam can benefit from greater cooperation in space-based applications.

Satellite data can support:

agriculture + disaster management + maritime surveillance + environmental monitoring.

Both sides identified space as an area where cooperation should be expanded.

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15. Cyber Security

The next battlefield may not always be physical.

A cyberattack can target:

- banking systems

- power grids

- airports

- military networks

- telecommunications

- government databases

India and Vietnam have therefore begun expanding cooperation in cyber security.

Their 2026 discussions also included information sharing and cooperation against cybercrime and high-tech crime.

The two countries are expected to deepen cooperation in these emerging security domains.

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16. Why China Is Part of the Strategic Equation

Any serious analysis of India–Vietnam relations must acknowledge China's role.

Both India and Vietnam have complex relationships with China.

Vietnam has major maritime disputes with China.

India has its own longstanding border and strategic challenges involving China.

However, India and Vietnam are not forming an anti-China military alliance.

That distinction is important.

Their partnership is better understood as:

strategic balancing + national interest + regional stability.

Both countries want greater strategic autonomy.

Both want to protect their sovereignty.

Both support a stable Indo-Pacific.

These overlapping interests naturally create closer cooperation.

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17. India Does Not Need a Formal Alliance

One of India's traditional diplomatic strengths is strategic autonomy.

India generally avoids rigid military alliances.

Instead, it builds partnerships with multiple countries.

The India–Vietnam relationship fits this model.

India can cooperate with Vietnam in defence and maritime security without creating a formal military alliance against another country.

This allows both countries to maintain diplomatic flexibility.

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18. The China–India–Vietnam Triangle

The strategic geography of Asia creates an interesting triangle.

China is the dominant regional power.

India is a major rising power.

Vietnam is an important Southeast Asian state with growing economic and strategic influence.

Vietnam therefore occupies a strategically significant position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

For India, deeper engagement with Vietnam strengthens India's Act East and Indo-Pacific architecture.

For Vietnam, closer ties with India provide another important strategic and technological partner.

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19. The Cultural Connection

Strategic relations are not built only through weapons and trade.

India and Vietnam also have deep civilisational links.

Indian culture and Buddhism historically travelled across Southeast Asia.

The influence of Indian civilisation can still be seen in parts of Vietnam, particularly through the heritage associated with the ancient Champa civilisation.

These cultural links provide a historical foundation beneath modern diplomacy.

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20. 2027: 55 Years of Diplomatic Relations

The relationship will receive another symbolic boost in 2027.

India and Vietnam will mark 55 years of diplomatic relations.

Both sides have agreed to organise cultural, sporting, film and people-to-people activities around the anniversary.

This matters because strategic partnerships become stronger when they are supported by public understanding and societal connections.

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21. The 2+2 Dialogue

Another important development is the planned establishment of a Strategic Diplomacy–Defence Dialogue, commonly referred to as a 2+2 mechanism.

Such mechanisms bring together senior diplomatic and defence officials.

They can help countries coordinate:

- security policy

- regional developments

- defence cooperation

- maritime issues

- emerging threats

- strategic technology

For India and Vietnam, such a mechanism could become an important platform for long-term strategic coordination.

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22. What India Gains

India gains several strategic advantages from a stronger Vietnam relationship.

Strategic advantage

Greater presence and partnerships in Southeast Asia.

Maritime advantage

Closer cooperation with an important South China Sea state.

Economic advantage

Access to a rapidly growing manufacturing economy.

Technological advantage

Cooperation in AI, quantum technology, cyber and space.

Diplomatic advantage

Stronger relations with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific partners.

Defence advantage

Expanded opportunities for defence exports, training and co-production.

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23. What Vietnam Gains

Vietnam also benefits significantly.

India offers:

- defence training

- military capacity building

- defence technology

- economic opportunities

- pharmaceutical capabilities

- digital technology

- space cooperation

- diplomatic support

- a major market

Most importantly, India provides Vietnam with another major Asian partner without requiring Vietnam to join an exclusive alliance.

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24. The Challenges

The relationship is strong, but it is not without challenges.

Trade imbalance

Both countries want trade to become more balanced.

Connectivity

Direct air and maritime connectivity can still be improved.

Market access

Businesses continue to face regulatory and market-access barriers.

Investment

Bilateral investment remains below the potential of two major Asian economies.

Defence technology

Turning agreements into actual co-production and industrial projects will require sustained implementation.

Vietnam itself has encouraged exploration of a bilateral FTA and greater investment and connectivity to help overcome these obstacles.

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25. The Bigger Indo-Pacific Picture

The India–Vietnam relationship must ultimately be understood within the transformation of the Indo-Pacific.

The region contains:

- the world's fastest-growing economies

- critical maritime trade routes

- major technology centres

- important military powers

- contested territorial waters

- enormous energy and supply-chain interests

India and Vietnam both want this region to remain peaceful, open and governed by international rules.

That creates a natural strategic convergence.

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26. The Emerging India–Vietnam Model

The relationship is evolving from:

Diplomacy

to

Strategic partnership

to

Multi-domain cooperation.

The new model combines:

Defence + Maritime Security + Trade + Technology + AI + Space + Cyber + Critical Minerals + Connectivity.

That is why the 2026 upgrade matters.

It is not simply a change in terminology.

It represents an attempt to create a broader strategic architecture for the next decade.

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Conclusion: A Partnership Built for the Asian Century

India and Vietnam are entering a new chapter.

Their relationship is no longer simply about historical friendship.

It is increasingly about the future.

The future of Asian supply chains.

The future of maritime security.

The future of defence technology.

The future of AI and cyber security.

The future of the Indo-Pacific.

And the future of India's engagement with Southeast Asia.

The 2026 elevation to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership demonstrates that both governments see considerable strategic value in working together.

For India, Vietnam is a crucial pillar of the Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.

For Vietnam, India is an important strategic, economic and technological partner.

Neither country needs a formal alliance to achieve this.

They can cooperate while maintaining strategic autonomy.

And that may ultimately be the greatest strength of the relationship.

India and Vietnam are not merely looking at each other as neighbours of the wider Asian region.

They are increasingly looking at each other as strategic partners in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific.