External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung on Monday, 14 September 2026, co-chaired the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in New Delhi, focusing on expanding political, defence and security cooperation — including a push to increase the supply of Made-in-India defence articles to Vietnam. The talks were described by Jaishankar as 'productive and outcome-oriented.'

Key Outcomes of the JCM

The two ministers reviewed implementation of existing bilateral commitments and identified new ground across trade, investment, supply chains, energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and cultural heritage projects. A notable emphasis was placed on expanding Vietnam's market access for Indian marine products, agricultural goods, and pharmaceuticals.

Jaishankar said the 19th JCM offered 'a very valuable opportunity to review the implementation of the commitments which have been made, and to translate the political momentum at the highest level into concrete, tangible outcomes for our people.'

India's Strategic Framing

In his opening remarks, Jaishankar positioned Vietnam as a significant partner under India's Act East Policy, the MAHASAGAR vision, and the broader Indo-Pacific framework. He also underscored Vietnam's importance within India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

Following the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X: 'Vietnam is a key partner of our Look East, ASEAN, Indo-Pacific, MAHASAGAR and Global South policies.' The post detailed outcomes including strengthened defence cooperation, expanded agricultural and pharmaceutical market access, and deepened energy cooperation.

Vietnam Hails India's BRICS Role

Foreign Minister Trung used the occasion to congratulate India on the outcome of the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, calling it a demonstration of the grouping's 'growing potential to contribute to shared objectives of the international community.' He specifically praised the summit's declaration as 'very substantive' and 'pertinent at this juncture of international development,' crediting India's stewardship for the result.

PM Modi-Vietnam PM Meeting Sets the Tone

The ministerial-level JCM follows a bilateral summit on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit on Saturday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Vietnamese Prime Minister Lee Minh Hung. Modi described Vietnam as a 'key pillar' of India's Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision, and both leaders discussed deepening defence and security cooperation — signalling that the Jaishankar-Trung meeting was designed to operationalise those top-level commitments.

This is the 19th session of the JCM, reflecting the depth of institutionalised engagement between the two countries. With defence exports, Indo-Pacific alignment, and ASEAN connectivity all on the table, the meeting marks a concerted effort to move India-Vietnam ties from strategic rhetoric to tangible deliverables.