Vietnam President To Lam accorded ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on his maiden visit to India

Vietnam’s President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) during his first state visit to India.

The Vietnamese leader was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival at the presidential palace. This visit marks President Lam’s maiden state visit to the country since being elected President of Vietnam in April this year.

Ahead of the formal ceremony, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval held talks with President Lam on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) to explore ways of bolstering the “comprehensive strategic partnership” shared by the two nations. The President initiated his three-day state visit by arriving in Gaya, Bihar, on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) morning. He was greeted at the airport by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and other high-ranking officials before proceeding to offer prayers at the historic Mahabodhi Temple. Welcoming the Vietnamese leader, Mr. Choudhary remarked that the spiritual city of Gaya “warmly honours” the arrival of the President and expressed his belief that the visit would elevate bilateral ties to “new heights.”