Vietnam's To Lam in India for defence, economic talks

NEW DELHI: India gave a red-carpet welcome for Vietnam’s President To Lam in New Delhi on Wednesday, with trade and defence high on the agenda for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s foreign ministry said the talks will “open new avenues for cooperation” between Hanoi and New Delhi.

Modi, India’s President Droupadi Murmu and To Lam stood side-by-side outside the presidential palace, as lines of Indian troops marched past in an honour guard parade.

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief kicked off his India trip a day earlier, with a visit to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodh Gaya – where the Buddha attained enlightenment – in the eastern state of Bihar.

India may discuss BrahMos missile sale to Vietnam during presidential visit, sources say

He is accompanied by a large business delegation, and is also due to visit India’s financial hub Mumbai.

Trade between the countries reached nearly $15.8 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, and Vietnamese companies such as electric vehicle giant VinFast have sought to make inroads into the world’s most populous nation.

Indian media have suggested discussions might include a potential $700 million deal for India’s long-range BrahMos cruise missiles, but no official details have been given.

To Lam met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday, where they discussed “strengthening” the partnership between the countries, India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.