A gathering, titled "Multi-sectoral business meet on the occasion of visit of delegation from Confederation of Indian Industry," was jointly organized by Invest Global and the Embassy of India in Hanoi, on April 7.
The delegation, led by Mr. Gautam Khurana, Convenor of the MSME Panel of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), paid a working visit to Vietnam from April 7-10.
Speaking at the event, Mr. S. Chinpau Ngaihte, First Secretary (Eco & Com) at the Embassy of India, emphasized that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations, describing it as a pivotal moment to elevate bilateral economic engagement. While bilateral trade reached $16.46 billion in 2025, he noted that the figure remains well below the full potential of two of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
He highlighted that recent geopolitical developments, particularly disruptions to traditional maritime routes in the Middle East, are reshaping global trade flows and encouraging businesses to explore alternative connectivity corridors. In this context, Vietnam’s strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region positions it as a key gateway linking India with ASEAN and broader regional markets. At the same time, the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) is expected to further facilitate trade and investment flows in the coming years.
Mr. Nguyen Thu Đo, General Secretary of the Vietnam Private Business Association (VPBA), for his part, underscored the increasingly central role of the private sector in driving economic growth and international integration. With more than 5,000 members nationwide, the association serves as a critical bridge between businesses and policymakers, while supporting enterprises in expanding global partnerships, with India identified as a key strategic partner.
He stressed that the event goes beyond traditional trade promotion, aiming instead to foster long-term partnerships in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, energy, digital technologies (AI and IoT), high-tech agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and supporting industries. These areas, he noted, offer strong complementarities and provide a clear pathway toward achieving the bilateral trade target of $20 billion in the near future.
A notable feature of the event is the strong and diverse composition of the delegation from the CII, reflecting India’s growing outward investment strategy and global business ambitions. The delegation includes companies with extensive international experience and advanced technological capabilities across multiple sectors.
In infrastructure and energy, the participation of major players such as GMR Group-one of India’s leading infrastructure developers with a global portfolio spanning airports, energy assets, and transportation projects-signals increasing Indian interest in Vietnam’s rapidly growing market. In industrial manufacturing and energy solutions, companies like Kirloskar Pneumatic, a long-established engineering firm with more than 50,000 installations worldwide, bring advanced technologies for industrial refrigeration, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries.
In the field of digital transformation and ICT, firms such as AVCOM Infotech offer integrated solutions in audio-visual systems, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity, supporting enterprises in enhancing operational efficiency and accelerating digitalization. Meanwhile, strategic advisory firms like EVARA play a crucial role in facilitating market entry and policy navigation, helping global businesses engage effectively in India and South Asia.
The delegation also reflects strong representation in sustainable and agri-based sectors. Companies such as Maa Integrators and Govardhannathji Energies are introducing integrated agricultural models, organic production systems, and bio-energy solutions, highlighting India’s focus on circular economy principles and sustainable development.
According to Mr. Gautam Khurana, strengthening business-to-business engagement through such delegations is essential to unlocking real economic cooperation. With over three decades of experience in international legal advisory and cross-border investments, he noted that Vietnam is increasingly viewed by Indian enterprises as a strategic destination due to its stable investment environment, high growth trajectory, and deep integration into global value chains.
A key highlight of the program was the series of direct business-to-business (B2B) meetings, enabling Vietnamese and Indian companies to engage in one-on-one discussions, showcase their capabilities, and explore concrete opportunities in investment, distribution, and joint ventures. Product exhibitions and targeted networking sessions are expected to translate potential partnerships into tangible business outcomes in the near future.
As the global economy continues to shift toward sustainability, digitalization, and resilience, experts believe that India-Vietnam cooperation should move toward deeper integration in regional value chains, enhanced technology transfer, and increased two-way investment flows. More than a conventional networking event, the Business Connect serves as a strategic stepping stone toward building a comprehensive and sustainable economic partnership between the two countries in the years ahead.
