Expanding cooperation opportunities

The fourth India-Asia Business Conclave 2026 was held on July 31 and August 1, 2026, at the HITEX Exhibition and Convention Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, alongside ECO Sustain Expo 2026.

Organized by the Global India Business Forum (GIBF), the event brought together representatives of government agencies, trade promotion organizations, business associations, investors, and enterprises from across Asia and beyond.

This year's conclave attracted ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of diplomatic missions, consuls general, and commercial counselors from Armenia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Timor-Leste, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Fiji, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Vietnam, along with representatives of India's investment and trade promotion agencies.

The program featured an opening ceremony, thematic discussions on the green transition, renewable energy, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and smart manufacturing, as well as country investment presentations, business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) networking sessions, exhibitions, and diplomatic exchanges.

Diplomatic representatives presented their countries' economic potential, investment climate, business support policies, and priority sectors to strengthen engagement with Indian and international business communities.

Representing Vietnam, Bui Trung Thuong, Trade Counselor and Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in India, addressed the country investment session, highlighting opportunities to deepen Vietnam-India cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development.

In his remarks, Thuong noted that the global economy is undergoing profound transformation driven by digitalization, supply chain restructuring, the energy transition, and sustainable development requirements. While these trends present significant challenges, they also create substantial opportunities for countries to enhance cooperation, capitalize on complementary strengths, and integrate more deeply into global value chains.

Vietnam-India relations continue to gain momentum under the framework of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with economic, trade, and investment cooperation remaining one of its key pillars.

Bilateral trade reached approximately USD 16.5 billion in 2025, the highest level on record, reflecting the growing complementarity of the two economies. However, considerable potential remains untapped, particularly in high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, green industries, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, the digital economy, logistics, high-tech agriculture, and innovation.

Addressing the ongoing global supply chain realignment, Thuong proposed a vision of "Make in India - Make in Vietnam - Make for the World." Under this approach, Vietnam and India should position themselves as strategic partners in building regionally integrated supply chains capable of competing globally, rather than serving merely as export markets for one another.

He noted that India possesses strong advantages in research and development (R&D), information technology, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, innovation, and highly skilled human resources. Vietnam, meanwhile, has emerged as a dynamic manufacturing and export hub in ASEAN, supported by a stable investment environment, a young workforce, increasingly modern industrial infrastructure, and an extensive network of free trade agreements. Combining these complementary strengths would help establish new value chains capable of serving global markets more effectively.

Strengthening business connectivity

On the sidelines of the conclave, Thuong held a series of meetings with leaders of the Global India Business Forum, diplomatic representatives, business associations, multinational corporations, and international investors to promote business networking, investment facilitation, and broader economic cooperation between Vietnam and partners in India and across the region.

The Vietnam Trade Office in India also actively promoted Vietnam International Sourcing 2026, inviting businesses, industry associations, distribution networks, importers, and international business delegations to attend the event, which will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from September 3-5, 2026.

Organized annually under the auspices of Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam International Sourcing aims to help Vietnamese enterprises integrate more deeply into global supply chains while fostering direct connections with international retailers, buyers, and importers.

During the forum, many Indian businesses and trade promotion organizations expressed interest in sending delegations to the event and exploring further cooperation opportunities with Vietnamese companies in manufacturing, food processing, electronics, supporting industries, logistics, renewable energy, and technology.

The participation and keynote presentation by the Vietnam Trade Office in India at the India-Asia Business Conclave 2026 not only showcased Vietnam's investment environment and development potential but also created new opportunities for business matchmaking, trade expansion, and investment cooperation. The event further supports the Ministry of Industry and Trade's trade promotion agenda while contributing to the next phase of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and India.