Remarks at Indian Business Chamber’s Business Meet on 4 Feb 2026

Xin Chao, Namaskar and a warm good evening to all present here

Chairman Khanh, Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism

Vice Chairman Vinh, Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Chairman of INCHAM Navendu Kumar, Members of INCHAM and all of you dear friends present here.

I would like to take you back to last year, 2025. What was 2025 for Bharat, for India. I will submit two points before you:

1. 1. 2025 was a transformational and a landmark year for Bharat. Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi called 2025 as ‘Year of Reforms” which witnessed simplification of governance, modernized institutions and strengthened the foundations for long term inclusive growth. Far reaching reforms across sectors like Goods and Services Tax, labour, insurance, nuclear energy, etc.

1. 2. It was an exceptional year for the Indian economy with real GDP estimated to have grown by 7.4% making Bharat the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The impressive growth trajectory positioned India as the world’s fourth-largest economy and soon poised to be the third largest.

What about this year, 2026? 

It has begun with a bang for Bharat. The last few weeks saw the India-European Union FTA, ‘mother of all deals’ and now the India-US Trade Deal. Nothing could have been better. This is not only good for Bharat but for the world. 

What about India-Viet Nam? This year, we celebrate 10 years of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We are working with our Vietnamese friends on a series of activities to celebrate this milestone, including high level visits, business delegations, seminars, etc. We will look forward to your participation in the activities.  

I have been here for around three months. What are my expectations? My efforts will be to further strengthen the trade and commerce in which our mutual ambitions have yet to realize their full potential. There is much more we can do. While continuing to strengthening the traditional pillars of our partnership in an upward trajectory, focus will be on initiating cooperation in new domains, particularly in innovation, critical and emerging technologies, renewable energy and health care, digital public infrastructure, fintech and pharmaceuticals. We are planning official delegations from India accompanied by business leaders coming to Viet Nam to give a boost to mutual trade.  Bilateral trade needs to grow in both ways. 

I would like to see Indian infrastructure companies be a part of the infrastructure development journey of Viet Nam.   Logistics, connectivity including port connectivity and railways are some areas of interest. 

My message for INCHAM. You are the face of Bharat in Viet Nam. You are what the Vietnamese friends see and relate Bharat with. You are the Business Ambassadors who have an important role to play to bridge the potential that exists between our two countries into reality. You are the strength of the Government of India, the Embassy’s strength. I look forward to working closely with INCHAM to enhance mutual trade.  

To our Vietnamese friends here, the Ando-Viet Nam friendship began with our respective independence movements and the mutual expression of solidarity with each other. We have since never looked back. This is a friendship with a strong foundation of civilizational linkages, extensive people-to-people ties and mutual trust. We will walk the talk with you. 

Lastly, on this occasion of Tet, a festival of hope, self-belief and optimism, I wish the business community, both Indian and Vietnamese, good health, success and prosperity in this New Year.  

Thank you, and Xin Cam On

Jai Hind.