New Delhi, May 6: India and Vietnam on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in healthcare, digital payments and emerging technologies during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam in New Delhi.
In a joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting, both leaders highlighted the growing partnership between the two countries and stressed the importance of collaboration in sectors such as digital transformation, healthcare, artificial intelligence, nuclear energy and critical minerals.
Focus on Healthcare Cooperation
The two sides acknowledged the progress made by India’s pharmaceutical industry and agreed to explore the possible participation of Indian firms in supplying medicines to Vietnamese public healthcare facilities from 2027, based on mutual agreement.
Recognising the increasing role of technology in healthcare, India and Vietnam also encouraged cooperation in digital health transformation, including the use of Artificial Intelligence in the sector.
Given the rich traditions of traditional medicine in both countries, the leaders agreed to strengthen exchanges in research, knowledge-sharing and institutional cooperation. They welcomed progress on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Traditional Medicine and another proposed agreement for establishing an Academic Chair in Ayurveda in Vietnam.
Push for Digital Payments Connectivity
Both leaders reiterated the significance of digital technologies and welcomed the signing of an MoU between the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of Vietnam on financial innovation and digital payments.
The two countries agreed to promote retail payment connectivity through QR-code based systems linked to India’s UPI framework, a move expected to benefit tourism, trade and business interactions between the two nations.
Cooperation in Emerging Technologies
According to the official statement, India and Vietnam agreed to intensify collaboration in several critical and emerging technology sectors, including:
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- 6G technology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Space technology
- Nuclear technology
- Marine sciences
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Advanced materials
- Critical minerals
The cooperation will include joint research initiatives, R&D centres and product development projects aimed at mutual benefit.
Climate, Energy and Rare Earths
The leaders also recognised the importance of initiatives such as Mission LiFE and the International Solar Alliance in promoting sustainable development. India welcomed Vietnam’s interest in joining the Global Biofuels Alliance.
They further acknowledged the role of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience. Both countries agreed to explore advanced technologies for smart agriculture, sustainable water management and air pollution control.
In the field of atomic energy, the two leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation in peaceful nuclear applications and agreed to strengthen follow-up actions arising from the 4th India-Vietnam Joint Committee Meeting on atomic energy.
India also appreciated Vietnam’s invitation to participate in its nuclear power sector.
The leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU between IREL (India) Limited and Vietnam’s Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements under VINATOM for cooperation in the rare earths sector and stressed the need for its early implementation.
Maritime and Oceanography Collaboration
India and Vietnam additionally agreed to deepen cooperation in oceanography and maritime scientific research, including ocean observation systems, data management, ocean forecasting and capacity building initiatives.
