India-Vietnam defence ties get fresh push as Rajnath Singh meets Gen Phan Van Giang in Hanoi

Hanoi, May 19. India and Vietnam reviewed their expanding defence partnership and agreed on steps to deepen cooperation across maritime security, defence industry, training and regional stability during talks between Rajnath Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang in Hanoi on May 19.

The two ministers exchanged views on regional and global security developments and underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. They identified new avenues to expand collaboration in military training, defence industry partnerships, maritime security, capacity building, UN peacekeeping, cyber security and high-level exchanges. Both sides also agreed to step up regular dialogues, joint exercises and exchange programmes between their armed forces.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, Singh reiterated New Delhi’s support for Hanoi’s defence modernisation and capacity-enhancement efforts under existing bilateral frameworks. General Giang, in turn, appreciated India’s continued assistance and highlighted the long-standing friendship and growing strategic convergence between the two countries.

A key outcome of the visit was the virtual inauguration of a Language Lab at the Air Force Officers’ College, established with Indian assistance. Singh also announced plans to set up an Artificial Intelligence Lab at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang. In a parallel development, India’s Military College of Telecommunication Engineering and the Vietnamese university exchanged a memorandum of understating (MoU) on cooperation in artificial intelligence and quantum technology, adding a new technological dimension to bilateral defence ties.

Following the ministerial meeting, Singh called on Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, conveying greetings from India’s leadership and reaffirming India’s intent to broaden cooperation across defence and security, trade and investment, maritime connectivity, digital transformation and people-to-people exchanges. The Vietnamese leader welcomed the growing defence engagement as a central pillar of the partnership and expressed confidence that ties would continue to strengthen.

Earlier in the day, Singh paid homage at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the 136th birth anniversary of Ho Chi Minh, recalling the late leader’s role in laying the foundations of India-Vietnam friendship rooted in shared values and mutual respect.

India and Vietnam share close cooperation in defence and security, underpinned by mutual trust and converging interests in ensuring regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.