Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, May 7: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said the state is prepared to play a key role in strengthening ties between India and Vietnam, reaffirming Maharashtra’s commitment to expanding economic, cultural, and people-to-people cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.
Speaking at the India-Vietnam Business Forum during Vietnamese President To Lam’s one-day visit to Mumbai, Fadnavis invited Vietnamese businesses to invest in Maharashtra across multiple sectors.
The Chief Minister congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President To Lam for upgrading bilateral relations to an “Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
Highlighting Maharashtra’s historical connection with Buddhism, Fadnavis spoke about the significance of Nagpur, where B. R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism and laid the foundation for its modern revival in India.
He also encouraged Vietnamese tourists and investors to explore Maharashtra’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves.
Fadnavis proposed the creation of a dedicated Buddhist tourism circuit linking the two countries and suggested launching direct flights between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Ho Chi Minh City. He also proposed annual Maharashtra-Vietnam Business Council meetings to be held alternately in Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City.
Drawing parallels between Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City as major economic hubs, the Chief Minister welcomed recent cooperation agreements signed between the two cities.
He particularly highlighted a proposed investment worth $6.5 billion by Vietnamese conglomerate VinGroup, calling it the largest investment proposal Maharashtra has received from Southeast Asia.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra’s pharmaceutical sector, especially in Mumbai and Pune, is globally competitive and can serve as a reliable source of affordable medicines and vaccines for Vietnam.
He further invited Vietnamese investment in sectors such as energy, information technology, healthcare, tourism, infrastructure, manufacturing, and industrial development across Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Gadchiroli.
President To Lam said India and Vietnam should jointly lead future growth in areas including technology, infrastructure, trade, and industry. Recognising Mumbai as India’s financial and industrial capital, he stressed the importance of giving bilateral relations a new direction.
He noted that trade between the two nations continues to grow steadily and identified electric vehicles, infrastructure development, energy, and technology services as key sectors for future collaboration.
The Vietnamese President also outlined five priority areas for deeper cooperation: simplifying trade and investment processes, expanding economic collaboration, improving infrastructure and logistics connectivity, promoting skill development, and strengthening technological partnerships.
The business forum concluded with the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding between Indian and Vietnamese companies in the presence of President To Lam and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.