India and Vietnam elevate tribal cooperation to ministerial level, push for institutional partnership

Key facts

• India and Vietnam elevated collaboration on tribal and ethnic development to the ministerial level through a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on 18 March 2026.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, and Vietnam’s Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, H.E. Dao Ngoc Dung.
• This is the first ministerial engagement exclusively focused on tribal and ethnic development between the two nations.
• The dialogue built on prior discussions led by Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and H.E. Y Thong, Deputy Minister of Vietnam, on 17 March 2026.
• Key areas explored included rights-based approaches to tribal welfare, community-led development models, institutional mechanisms for cultural preservation, and use of digital platforms for tribal outreach.
• Shri Jual Oram emphasized Vietnam’s pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy and broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
• India’s tribal population exceeds 104 million people (over 8.6% of the population), while Vietnam is home to 54 officially recognized ethnic groups.
• A draft Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at institutionalizing bilateral engagement in tribal and ethnic affairs was reviewed; Vietnam confirmed approval on its side.
• Vietnam invited Shri Jual Oram for an official visit to formally sign the MoC.
• The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.