On the morning of April 16th, 2026, in Hanoi, the Deputy Minister of Construction, Nguyen Tuong Van, met and worked with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Vietnam, Mr. Sherpa Wangchuk Tshering, to discuss bilateral cooperation and directions for promoting cooperation in the fields of aviation, maritime, railway, and transport infrastructure development.
Ambassador Sherpa Wangchuk Tshering expressed his pleasure at the positive developments in the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and affirmed that the two countries still have much room for expanding cooperation, especially in the fields of infrastructure, transportation, and logistics – areas that play a fundamental role in economic growth and regional connectivity.
Ambassador Sherpa Wangchuk Tshering stated that, in the near future, India’s national airline will launch a direct flight route to Hanoi, contributing to enhance connectivity between the two countries and promoting people-to-people exchanges, trade, and tourism. The Indian side hopes that both parties will discuss and explore the possibility of opening additional new routes, while also considering more favorable conditions for operations, including visa exemptions for flight crews, in order to improve operational efficiency and strengthen air connectivity.
Overview of working session.
In addition, Ambassador Tshering expressed his desire to further promote deeper cooperation in maritime affairs, trade, and infrastructure investment and development. He also proposed that both sides enhance the exchange of experience and explore cooperation opportunities in the development of urban inland waterway passenger transport—an area with strong potential to help ease urban traffic congestion and move toward sustainable development.
On his side, Van welcomed Ambassador Sherpa Wangchuk Tshering and the delegation from the Embassy of India to the Ministry of Construction. He noted that, in the context of Vietnam’s efforts to develop a modern and synchronized infrastructure system, the Ministry of Construction consistently attaches importance to strengthening international cooperation, mobilizing resources, and acquiring advanced experience and technologies.
Assessing the outcomes of Vietnam–India cooperation in recent years, Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van noted that in the aviation sector, the two sides signed the Air Transport Agreement in 2013 and have continued to refine the cooperation framework through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023, thereby creating favorable conditions for expanding connectivity.
Currently, airlines from both countries are operating 15 routes, with passenger and cargo volumes showing positive growth. In response to increasing market demand, Vietnam hopes that both sides will soon discuss and reach agreement on increasing flight frequencies. He also requested that the Ambassador pay attention to and encourage the relevant Indian authorities to early response to Vietnam’s proposals.
In the maritime sector, the two countries signed a bilateral Maritime Transport Agreement in 2013, establishing an important legal foundation for cooperation in sea transport. Cargo transportation between the two countries has continued to be maintained and expanded. The two sides have also implemented an agreement on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates of competency, contributing to facilitating the development of human resources in the maritime sector.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van took a photo with Ambassador Sherpa Wangchuk Tshering and other delegates.
Sharing orientations for future development, Van stated that Vietnam identifies infrastructure development as one of its three strategic breakthroughs, with transport infrastructure playing a key role. On that basis, he proposed that India further enhance the sharing of experience and strengths in the fields of construction and transport, while encouraging Indian enterprises to pay attention to and participate in investing in infrastructure projects in Vietnam, particularly in railways, seaports, logistics, and urban development.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van also suggested that the Ambassador continue to play an active bridging role in promoting cooperation between the agencies and enterprises of the two countries, and in enhancing exchanges and coordination in areas of mutual interest. In addition, both sides should continue to support each other at international forums in the fields of maritime and aviation, thereby contributing to elevating each country’s position while promoting regional and global cooperation.