India and Vietnam elevated their bilateral relationship to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Vietnamese President To Lam in New Delhi. The two leaders pledged to deepen defence, security, and economic cooperation, with Modi stating that Vietnam is a key pillar of India's Act East Policy and Vision Ocean initiative.

The leaders affirmed their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing rule-based order, peace, stability, and prosperity. Discussions included expanding military collaboration, building on last year's agreement on submarine search and rescue and a letter of intent on defence industry cooperation. India's UPI and Vietnam's fast payment system will be linked to boost financial connectivity, and central banks will enhance coordination.

President Lam's three-day visit, his first to India since assuming office, included a delegation-level meeting where regional security concerns, including China's growing military presence, were discussed. Both sides committed to strengthening political trust and expanding trade and investment. The upgraded partnership formalizes a deeper alignment in strategic and economic interests.

India will work with Vietnam to broaden its engagement with ASEAN, Modi said. The two countries are expected to finalize the payment system integration and advance defence projects in the coming months. The foreign ministries will hold consultations later this year to review progress on the new strategic framework.