Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with the two sides discussing deeper defence and security
cooperation, critical minerals, space and a push to raise bilateral trade to $25 billion by 2030.
In a post on X after the meeting, PM Modi said the discussions covered the proposed 2+2 mechanism between the two countries, as well as expanded cooperation in energy, rare earths and space.
“Met Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng of Vietnam on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. We had productive discussions on deepening defence and security cooperation, including the proposed 2+2 mechanism,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the two leaders also discussed working towards $25 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and increasing two-way investment.
He added that the two countries would continue strengthening their cultural and civilisational links, describing Vietnam as a “key pillar” of India’s Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision.
Met Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng of Vietnam on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
We had productive discussions on:
Deepening defence and security cooperation, including the proposed 2+2 mechanism.
Expanding cooperation in energy, rare earths and space.
Working towards $25… pic.twitter.com/VMGO9uMfw6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2026
The meeting came as Vietnam participated in the BRICS Summit as one of the grouping’s partner countries.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi welcomed Vietnam’s participation in the summit and the two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral relations.
The MEA said both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and reiterated their commitment to strengthening the India-Vietnam partnership.
Focus On Defence, Rare Earths And Trade
The proposed 2+2 mechanism stands out as one of the key areas discussed during the meeting. Such a mechanism would bring together senior representatives handling foreign and defence policy, giving the two countries a dedicated platform to deepen strategic and security cooperation.
Rare earths were another area highlighted by PM Modi. The minerals are critical to several high-technology industries, including electronics, clean-energy technologies and defence manufacturing, making supply-chain cooperation increasingly significant amid wider global concerns over access to critical minerals.
The two sides also set their sights on expanding economic ties, with PM Modi saying India and Vietnam would work towards bilateral trade of $25 billion by 2030 alongside stronger two-way investment.
India has increasingly viewed Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia, particularly under its Act East Policy.
Ties Elevated Earlier This Year
India-Vietnam relations were elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the state visit of Vietnamese leader To Lam to India in May.
At the time, the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation under what they described as a framework of “shared vision, strategic convergence, substantive cooperation”.
India and Vietnam have long highlighted their civilisational links, strategic trust and expanding cooperation across defence, trade, energy and connectivity.
Vietnam is also one of the 10 BRICS partner countries taking part in India’s 2026 chairship of the grouping.
The 18th BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 12-13 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
