Welcoming the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, Fadnavis said it was an honour to host the Vietnamese leader in Mumbai, India’s leading financial and commercial hub.

The Chief Minister praised the recent upgrade of Vietnam–India ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and highlighted Maharashtra’s strengths in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and smart-city development.

He proposed boosting business cooperation, launching direct flights between Maharashtra and Ho Chi Minh City, and establishing a regular coordination mechanism between the two localities. According to him, Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City, as two major growth engines, could become key economic and trade gateways linking the two countries.

The Indian side also proposed organising an annual rotating business forum, viewing it as a practical platform for fostering long-term cooperation between business communities in both countries. Cooperation projects involving major corporations, including Vingroup’s activities in Maharashtra, were cited as examples of the growing economic potential between Vietnam and India.

Speaking at the meeting, Party General Secretary and President To Lam commended Maharashtra’s active support in organising the Vietnam–India business forum on May 7, which he said created an effective platform for enterprises from both countries to connect and expand trade and investment opportunities.

Highlighting future cooperation potential, he said the establishment of twinning relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai would represent an important step forward, serving not only as a symbolic gesture but also as a foundation for deeper economic connectivity between two dynamic urban ecosystems.

The Vietnamese leader emphasised that despite global uncertainties, Vietnam–India relations have continued to develop positively, particularly over the past decade since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, delivering practical outcomes that contribute to regional peace, stability and development.

According to him, Mumbai is not only a major financial centre but also an important international trade gateway and a globally recognised cultural and entertainment hub through the Bollywood film industry.

He stressed that although Mumbai was the final stop of his India visit, the city held special significance and was expected to open new avenues for cooperation and generate fresh momentum for bilateral relations in the next stage of development.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai, particularly in urban development, finance and banking, logistics, seaports, innovation and infrastructure.

They also underlined the importance of enhancing business connectivity, people-to-people exchanges and the effective implementation of signed cooperation agreements in order to deepen and make bilateral cooperation more substantive.

The Vietnamese leader called on ministries, agencies and local authorities from both countries to promptly translate agreements into concrete actions, especially in the fields of economy, finance, education and training, culture and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to stronger and more comprehensive Vietnam–India relations in the coming years.

Vietnam proposes elevating India cooperation in emerging global value chains

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has proposed upgrading economic cooperation between Vietnam and India beyond expanding bilateral trade toward deeper strategic connectivity in emerging global value chains, particularly in high technology, innovation and the green economy.