New Delhi | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated To Lam on his election as Vietnam president and said he was confident that under his leadership, the time-tested friendship between the two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Modi also said that he was looking forward to working closely together to further deepen India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the progress and prosperity of the people of the two countries and the region.

"Heartiest congratulations to Mr. To Lam on his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I am confident that under his leadership, the time-tested friendship between our two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength," he said in a post on X.

Vietnam unanimously elected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam as president for a five-year term, consolidating his control over both the party and the state.

The move departs from Vietnam's tradition of shared leadership, in which the jobs have typically been held by different people, and echoes power structures in China under Xi Jinping and neighbouring Laos.

After being sworn in, the 69-year-old told the National Assembly that his top priority was to maintain peace and stability, which were the foundation for fast and sustainable growth.