Vietnam, India in trade talks

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during his three-day visit to India, called for enhanced economic cooperation and proposed exploring a free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade to $20 billion. Speaking at the Vietnam-India Business Forum, he highlighted sectors for Indian investment, including infrastructure, digital technology, and pharmaceuticals, emphasizing the long-standing friendship between the two nations. Chinh invited Indian businesses to facilitate integration of Vietnamese companies into their supply chains and expressed interest in establishing a robust pharmaceutical ecosystem in Vietnam. He noted that Vietnam currently sources 33% of its pharmaceuticals from India. The visit also includes discussions on strategic partnerships and the launch of a new flight route between Ahmedabad and Da Nang.