Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan has underscored India’s importance to Southeast Asia, reaffirming wish for an early conclusion to negotiations on reviewing and upgrading the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) .

The Vietnamese delegation at the meeting.

Addressing the special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ meeting on the AITIGA review on August 28, Deputy Minister Tan, who led a Vietnamese delegation comprising representatives from the ministries of industry and trade, finance, and science and technology, stressed that the revised deal would bolster economic ties and facilitate trade and business between the two sides.

The virtual meeting was chaired by Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and attended by ASEAN economy ministers and Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh.

The head of the joint negotiating committee outlined ongoing progress, unresolved issues, and proposals to expedite negotiations. Ministers reiterated their goal of concluding the review and upgrade negotiations in 2025. The meeting also set stage for a series of ASEAN Economic Ministers’ meetings and related events set for late September 2025.

ASEAN-India trade reached 106.9 billion USD in 2024, a 6.05% increase from the previous year, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade. ASEAN exports to India grew 7.6% to 70.8 billion USD, while imports from India climbed 3.4% to 36.1 billion USD.

Vietnam-India trade clocked in at 14.9 billion USD in 2024, a 4.5% bump year-on-year. Vietnam’s exports to India soared 7.6% to 9.06 billion USD, while imports dipped slightly by 0.6% to 5.83 billion USD.

Party chief calls for stronger Vietnam–India cooperation in various areas

Party General Secretary To Lam hosted a reception for Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Sandeep Arya on August 6 in Ha Noi, during which the Party chief called for stronger cooperation between the two countries in science-technology, innovation, culture, education, religion, and tourism.

 

Indian writer captivated by Vietnam’s Cham culture

Taking a journey to the Cham Museum — the modest building in Phan Rang –Thap Cham, Indian writer Ankita Mahabir said that the museum might not boast size but it brims with pride for the local community, featuring carefully preserved sandstone sculptures, portraits, and rare artifacts.

 

Vietnamese-American pickleball star Quang wins singles, doubles titles at Indian event

Vietnamese-American pickleball prodigy Quang Duong won two titles at the Monsoon Pickleball Championship 3.0 in Mumbai, India, on Aug. 3.

Vietnamese Party chief receives Chairman of India's Adani Group

Party General Secretary To Lam hosted a reception in Ha Noi on July 30 for Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group of India, during which he affirmed that Viet Nam welcomes foreign investors, including Indian enterprises, to expand investment in the country.

 

Sharing Buddha’s relics with Vietnam becomes cultural phenomenon: Indian PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the sharing of the Buddha’s relics has underscored the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ties between India and Vietnam, fostering a greater appreciation of India’s rich heritage.

 

Indian-funded rural road inaugurated in Bac Ninh

BAC NINH – On June 30, the Hiep Hoa District People’s Committee, in cooperation with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, inaugurated a project to upgrade and widen Dong hamlet road in Cam Bao village, Xuan Cam commune, Hiep Hoa district, Bac  Giang province (Bac Ninh province from July 1, 2025).