PM Modi and Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung reviewed bilateral ties on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, reaffirming their commitment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussing regional and global issues of mutual importance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung met on Saturday on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit and reviewed the progress achieved in bilateral relations between India and Vietnam. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the partnership and discussed a range of regional and global issues of mutual importance.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the meeting provided an opportunity for Prime Minister Modi and Le Minh Hung to assess developments in bilateral cooperation and exchange views on key areas of mutual interest. The discussions come at a significant time for India-Vietnam relations, following the elevation of their ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The bilateral relationship was elevated during the State Visit of Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam to India in May 2026. The decision marked a significant step in strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries and expanding cooperation across several strategic and economic sectors.
During Saturday’s meeting, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Vietnam’s participation in the BRICS Summit as a partner country. The two leaders warmly greeted each other before the discussions, while PM Modi also met members of the Vietnamese delegation accompanying Le Minh Hung.
The MEA described India and Vietnam as countries sharing a time-tested friendship based on common civilizational heritage, mutual trust and understanding. Vietnam has also emerged as an important pillar of India’s Act East Policy and a key partner in New Delhi’s broader engagement with Southeast Asia.
The meeting took place as India hosted the two-day 18th BRICS Summit as the chair of the grouping in 2026. The summit brings together leaders of BRICS member countries, partner nations and outreach invitees to discuss international cooperation and major regional and global challenges.
India’s BRICS chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The theme reflects Prime Minister Modi’s vision of promoting a people-centric approach based on the principle of “Humanity First.” During the summit, participating leaders are expected to exchange views on strengthening cooperation within BRICS and addressing common priorities.
BRICS currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Vietnam is among the partner countries of the grouping, along with Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan.
The latest Modi-Hung meeting also comes against the backdrop of continued efforts to translate high-level commitments between India and Vietnam into concrete outcomes. Last month, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita called on the Vietnamese Prime Minister and thanked him for his guidance in advancing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
During President To Lam’s visit to India in May, the two sides held extensive discussions on several important areas, including defence and security, trade and investment, science and technology, development partnership, maritime cooperation and critical and rare earth minerals.
The talks also covered cooperation in space, renewable energy, including atomic energy, culture and people-to-people relations. Both countries agreed to elevate their relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $25 billion by 2030.
Vietnam has also joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), further strengthening its engagement with India’s vision for greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
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The latest meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Le Minh Hung therefore underscores the importance both countries attach to expanding their strategic partnership. With cooperation spanning defence, trade, technology, maritime affairs, energy and people-to-people ties, India and Vietnam are seeking to build on their historical friendship while responding to emerging regional and global challenges.
