Vietnam-India Trade Surpasses $10 Billion in First Half

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and India surpassed US$10 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a significant milestone in the ties between the two nations. This development follows the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Vietnam on September 3, 2016. Trade Counselor Bui Trung Thuong highlighted that economic and trade cooperation is a crucial pillar of Vietnam-India relations, with considerable room for expansion and diversification in agricultural trade. The relationship, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Indian leaders, has evolved into a special and enduring friendship, with bilateral cooperation yielding substantial benefits. Two-way trade has doubled over the past decade, while defense and security cooperation has also become increasingly substantive and effective, reflecting high levels of strategic trust. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued a scheme for 2026-2030 aimed at establishing raw material areas managed through unified data on acreage, producers, seasons, output, quality, growing area codes, and production-consumption linkages. This initiative is expected to bolster Vietnam's agricultural production base and facilitate increased exports to India. Under its one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes state-led economic development, with strengthening economic ties with strategic partners being a key foreign policy objective. The expansion of trade with India aligns with Vietnam's long-term strategy to diversify its supply chains and reduce economic reliance on China.