Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng arrived in New Delhi on Sept 12 for the 18th BRICS summit and a two‑day bilateral agenda with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders praised the strategic partnership, noting both countries rank among the world’s fastest‑growing economies and share complementary development goals.
They agreed to accelerate measures to reach a two‑way trade target of US$25 billion, focusing on pharmaceuticals, agriculture, fisheries and livestock, and to explore a bilateral free‑trade agreement while fast‑tracking the ASEAN‑India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Both sides highlighted the importance of connectivity, committing to study rail corridor projects linking South Asia and Southeast Asia and to enhance road, air and maritime links, including more direct flights between major cities.
In parallel, PM Hưng met GMR Group chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao, who said the Indian firm had signed a May memorandum with Vietnamese companies to assess joint airport development, operations and digital services. Vietnam plans to expand to 36 airports by 2030 and further by 2050, and welcomed GMR’s expertise. He also received ACME Group’s Sanjay Dhawan, discussing clean‑energy collaboration and supply‑chain opportunities.
A diplomatic highlight was Hưng’s flower‑laying ceremony at a Ho Chi Minh statue in New Delhi’s G20 park, underscoring the historic bond between the nations. The meetings concluded with a joint photo, signalling a reinforced partnership across trade, infrastructure and security domains.