Viet Nam–India relations are entering a new phase of development in which knowledge, data, technology, and high-quality human resources must become the new foundations of strategic cooperation.
As part of the State Visit to the Republic of India, on the evening of May 6 (local time) in New Delhi, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Viet Nam, in coordination with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India, organized the Viet Nam–India Innovation Forum under the theme: “Cooperation in Human Resource Development, Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation.”
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam attended and delivered keynote remarks at the Forum, highly appreciating the close coordination between agencies of the two countries in organizing a forum with a timely and relevant theme that reflects the development trends of the era and the increasingly deep cooperation needs between Viet Nam and India.
General Secretary, President To Lam emphasized that rapid breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, quantum technology, and clean energy are fundamentally transforming production methods, growth models, and the global economic structure. Trends such as the digital economy, green economy, and circular economy, together with the need to ensure technological security, data security, and supply chain stability, are shaping a new era of development — the era of innovation. In this context, countries capable of mastering knowledge, science and technology, and innovation will be able to make breakthroughs and create new strengths for development.
Recognizing this trend, Viet Nam has issued Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, along with the National Strategy on Innovative Startups. These policies identify science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as central drivers for developing modern productive forces, renewing the growth model, and enhancing strategic autonomy. Viet Nam is focusing on improving institutions in an open and flexible direction to unlock resources and encourage the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation; developing high-quality human resources; and building an open innovation ecosystem with enterprises at the center. At the same time, Viet Nam prioritizes strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, digital technology, and clean energy, with the goal of building a data-driven economy.
Expressing admiration for India’s remarkable achievements in information technology, software development, engineering training, public digital infrastructure, digital payments, the pharmaceutical industry, space technology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, General Secretary and President To Lam stated that India is not only a great civilization but has also become an increasingly important global center of knowledge, technology, and innovation — “a Silicon Valley of Asia.”
Viet Nam and India are two nations connected by a long-standing traditional friendship shaped by deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties, as well as a shared spirit of independence, self-reliance, and aspiration for development. The solid foundation of political trust serves as an important basis for the two countries to advance further in cooperation, particularly in high-tech and strategic technology sectors.
General Secretary, President To Lam emphasized that the two countries share many similarities in their long-term development visions. Viet Nam aims to become a developed, high-income country by 2045, while India is pursuing its “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision of becoming a developed nation. These orientations create strong momentum for enhanced cooperation in the new phase of development.
The two economies are highly complementary. India is one of the world’s major economies, possessing outstanding strengths in technology, software, artificial intelligence, and digital services. Viet Nam is a dynamic economy with an important geostrategic position, rapid digital transformation, and a fast-growing startup ecosystem.
General Secretary, President To Lam stressed that bilateral relations are entering a new phase in which knowledge, data, technology, and high-quality human resources must become the new foundations of strategic cooperation.
He proposed that the Forum focus discussions on clearly identifying priority areas of cooperation, particularly strategic technologies that will shape the 21st century, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technology, biotechnology, clean energy, and smart manufacturing.
General Secretary, President To Lam called for the development of new spaces for cooperation in science and technology through large-scale projects and long-term cooperation mechanisms, including promoting the formation of a Viet Nam–India Digital Partnership; advancing models of “co-research, co-development, and co-production”; and working toward creating jointly branded technology products capable of deeply integrating into global value chains.
He also emphasized the need to improve coordination mechanisms among stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem, particularly the “three-party model” of Government–Scientists–Businesses, while promoting public-private partnerships, establishing risk-sharing mechanisms, encouraging greater business investment in research and development, and moving toward the establishment of bilateral co-investment funds for innovation.
General Secretary, President To Lam emphasized that enterprises of the two countries should play a pioneering role by boldly investing in new technology sectors, strengthening research and development cooperation, and participating in the development of symbolic cooperation projects, thereby deepening Viet Nam–India relations through production linkages, technology transfer, and participation in global value chains. He stated that the synergy between India’s outstanding technological strengths and the aspiration of Vietnamese youth to master technology would create a powerful workforce for the future.
General Secretary, President To Lam proposed promoting substantive connectivity among research institutes, universities, and enterprises of the two countries toward the establishment of a Viet Nam–India technology human resources corridor. Priority areas include building joint R&D centers, shared laboratories, and high-quality human resource training programs in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data science, and cybersecurity.
He also stressed the importance of linking science and technology cooperation with the goals of sustainable and inclusive development centered on people, ensuring that the benefits of innovation are widely shared in order to improve people’s quality of life, narrow development gaps, and strengthen resilience against global challenges.
General Secretary, President To Lam affirmed that, based on strong political trust, the complementarity of the two economies, and the tremendous potential of their human resources, cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation will become an important pillar contributing directly to economic growth, enhanced competitiveness, and strengthened strategic autonomy for each country.
On this occasion, General Secretary, President To Lam, together with the Minister of Science and Technology of Viet Nam and the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology of India, witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents among research institutes, universities, associations, and enterprises in the fields of human resource development, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation between the two countries.
These agreements mark an initial step toward developing concrete cooperation programs in human resource training, joint research, technology transfer, product development, market expansion, and the connectivity of Viet Nam–India innovation ecosystems.
Source: Vietnam Fatherland Front Portal; Photos: Vietnam News Agency (VNA)
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