TVK is now attempting to secure support from several regional and Left parties to cross the majority mark.

India and Vietnam on Wednesday elevated their bilateral relationship to an “Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President Tô Lâm in New Delhi.

The upgraded partnership includes an ambitious roadmap to raise bilateral trade to $25 billion by 2030 from the current level of around $16.46 billion in 2025-26. During the summit at Hyderabad House, both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, with stronger cooperation in trade, connectivity, technology and defence. Modi said the new framework would take ties “to even higher goals” a decade after Vietnam became India’s first Comprehensive Strategic Partner in ASEAN.

To support the expanded economic partnership, the two countries signed 13 agreements across multiple sectors. Among the key deals was a memorandum between the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of Vietnam to promote digital payment connectivity through QR-code based systems. Officials said the initiative would ease cross-border transactions, especially for small businesses and tourists.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in rare earth minerals and critical supply chains, sectors considered vital for semiconductors, clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. Both countries are seeking to reduce dependence on concentrated global supply chains amid rising geopolitical competition.

Defence cooperation remained a central focus of the talks, with discussions covering maritime security, defence manufacturing and procurement collaboration. India and Vietnam also explored expanding cooperation in strategic sectors including nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, space technology and next-generation telecommunications such as 6G.

The upgraded partnership is being viewed as a major strategic step in strengthening India’s “Act East” policy and Vietnam’s role as a key manufacturing and security partner in Southeast Asia.