India and Vietnam Partner with Focus on AI, Semiconductors and Innovation Ecosystems

The bilateral discussions focused extensively on strengthening cooperation in high-priority technology sectors that are increasingly shaping global economic and geopolitical competition.

India and Vietnam have moved to significantly strengthen their science and technology partnership, with both countries agreeing to deepen collaboration across critical emerging sectors including Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, robotics and deep technologies.

The commitment emerged during high-level bilateral talks held in New Delhi between Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology.

The discussions reflect growing strategic convergence between the two countries as they seek to expand technological cooperation under their broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

Officials described the engagement as an important step toward building long-term institutional collaboration in frontier technologies, innovation-led growth and startup ecosystems.

Focus on Emerging and Strategic Technologies

The bilateral discussions focused extensively on strengthening cooperation in high-priority technology sectors that are increasingly shaping global economic and geopolitical competition.

Key areas discussed included:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• cybersecurity

• deep technologies

• semiconductors

• robotics

• biotechnology

• digital technologies

• innovation-led research

• startup ecosystems

• technology transfer initiatives

Both sides agreed that structured collaboration in these sectors could generate technological, economic and societal benefits while strengthening innovation capacity across the region.

The talks also explored mechanisms to improve coordination between research institutions, technology hubs and innovation platforms in both countries.

India-Vietnam Partnership Gains Strategic Momentum

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, Dr Jitendra Singh described India and Vietnam as "civilizational partners" linked by nearly two thousand years of historical and cultural ties.

He stated that bilateral relations have acquired greater strategic depth over the past decade, particularly following the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to India in August 2024.

According to Dr. Singh, science and technology cooperation is increasingly emerging as one of the most important pillars of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Minister emphasized that Vietnam remains a key partner in India's:

• Act East Policy

• Indo-Pacific strategy

• ASEAN engagement framework

• regional innovation partnerships

He noted that expanding India-ASEAN cooperation in science, technology and innovation has created a strong foundation for future collaboration.

AI, Cybersecurity and Semiconductor Cooperation Prioritised

Among the most strategically significant areas discussed were Artificial Intelligence and semiconductor technologies.

As countries worldwide race to secure technological leadership in AI and chip manufacturing, India and Vietnam appear increasingly interested in developing collaborative innovation ecosystems in these sectors.

The two sides exchanged views on:

• AI missions

• cybersecurity frameworks

• semiconductor capabilities

• technology transfer models

• digital infrastructure

• innovation governance

India also expressed readiness to share its policy experiences and technological best practices with Vietnam in these domains.

Industry analysts say such cooperation could help both countries strengthen technological resilience and reduce dependence on concentrated global supply chains.

India Proposes Stronger Startup and Innovation Collaboration

Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted India's rapidly expanding startup ecosystem and proposed greater collaboration between startups, innovators and research institutions from both countries.

India currently hosts one of the world's largest startup ecosystems, with rapid growth across sectors including:

• fintech

• AI

• biotech

• SaaS

• digital public infrastructure

• deep-tech innovation

The Minister suggested that stronger India-Vietnam startup engagement could create new opportunities for:

• young entrepreneurs

• technology innovators

• academic researchers

• industry-led R&D collaborations

Discussions also covered possibilities for:

• startup exchange programmes

• co-innovation centres

• industry-linked research partnerships

• technology incubation cooperation

Observers say such initiatives could strengthen regional innovation networks across Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Vietnam Expands Engagement in India-ASEAN Science Programmes

Dr. Jitendra Singh also noted Vietnam's growing participation in India-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation initiatives.

According to officials:

• around 10 Vietnamese researchers have received fellowships under the India-ASEAN Research and Training Fellowship programme

• several joint scientific projects are already underway

• Vietnamese innovators and women scientists have participated in regional scientific forums and innovation platforms

These engagements have helped strengthen people-to-people scientific exchanges and institutional cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam Seeks Structured Collaboration in Deep Technologies

Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan welcomed the expanding scientific engagement between India and Vietnam and expressed Vietnam's interest in building structured cooperation in deep technologies with practical and socially impactful applications.

He proposed:

• appointment of dedicated nodal officers from both ministries

• regular coordination mechanisms

• a concrete bilateral action plan

• implementation-focused cooperation frameworks

The Vietnamese Minister also reaffirmed support for continuation of the Joint Committee mechanism between the two ministries.

Vietnam informed the Indian side that it would nominate a Deputy Minister-level representative to coordinate future engagements.

Officials indicated that the next India-Vietnam Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) is expected to further advance bilateral science and technology cooperation.

Academic and Institutional Partnerships Expanding

The meeting also reviewed ongoing academic and institutional collaborations between the two countries.

Areas of engagement include:

• joint research projects

• institutional research partnerships

• innovation hubs

• incubation centres

• technology transfer cooperation

• higher education collaborations

Both governments expressed interest in increasing research exchanges and strengthening university-industry linkages.

Experts say stronger academic partnerships could play a major role in building long-term innovation ecosystems and human capital development.

India Strengthening Tech Diplomacy Across ASEAN

The talks reflect India's broader strategy of expanding technology diplomacy and innovation partnerships across ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region.

Science and technology cooperation is increasingly being viewed as a critical component of geopolitical and economic engagement, particularly in areas such as:

• digital transformation

• semiconductor supply chains

• AI governance

• cyber resilience

• biotechnology

• strategic technologies

India has been actively strengthening regional cooperation frameworks involving:

• ASEAN member states

• Indo-Pacific partnerships

• Global South innovation collaboration

• digital public infrastructure sharing

Vietnam, with its rapidly growing manufacturing base and technology ambitions, is increasingly emerging as an important strategic partner within this framework.

Shared Vision for Technology-Led Growth

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain regular engagement and work toward translating discussions into concrete collaborative initiatives.

Officials stressed that future cooperation would aim to deliver:

• technological advancement

• economic opportunities

• innovation-driven growth

• societal benefits

• regional scientific collaboration

The growing India-Vietnam partnership is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping technology cooperation and innovation networks across Asia in the coming years.