Both sides discuss maritime cooperation, defence manufacturing and Indo-Pacific security amid growing strategic convergence.
India defence minister Rajnath Singh with Vietnam defence minister General Phan Van Giang.
India-Vietnam defence relations: India and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation across maritime security, defence manufacturing and joint military engagement following high-level talks in New Delhi between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, reflected what officials described as growing strategic trust between the two countries under their Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as both nations seek closer alignment in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the Indian government, the discussions reviewed ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and explored ways to expand collaboration through maritime engagement, defence industry partnerships and joint research initiatives.
The talks come at a time of increasing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific, where India and Vietnam share concerns over maritime security, regional stability and freedom of navigation.
Officials said both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady expansion of defence ties in recent years, including high-level military exchanges, training programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
Maritime Security and Defence Industry Cooperation in Focus
A major focus of the discussions centred on strengthening maritime cooperation, reflecting the strategic importance both countries place on the Indo-Pacific region and the South China Sea.
India and Vietnam have steadily increased naval engagement over the past decade through port visits, joint exercises and operational exchanges.
The two leaders also discussed expanding collaboration between their defence industries, including opportunities for joint research, co-development and co-production of military equipment.
Defence manufacturing cooperation has become an increasingly important aspect of India’s foreign and security policy as New Delhi pushes to position itself as a regional defence production hub under its indigenous manufacturing drive.
Officials indicated that both countries are seeking deeper institutional mechanisms to sustain military dialogue and operational coordination.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of continued interactions between armed forces through regular joint exercises, port calls and defence diplomacy initiatives.
India defence minister Rajnath Singh with Vietnam defence ministe General Phan Van Giang.
Indo-Pacific Alignment Strengthens Strategic Partnership
During the meeting, Singh reiterated India’s commitment to cooperation with Vietnam under the MAHASAGAR framework — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region — which forms part of India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
Both ministers exchanged views on regional and international security developments and stressed the need to maintain peace, stability and a rules-based international order.
India and Vietnam have increasingly found common ground on strategic issues in recent years, particularly regarding maritime security and regional balance in the Indo-Pacific.
Analysts say the partnership has gained importance as Southeast Asian nations seek to diversify defence relationships and strengthen regional security cooperation amid intensifying competition among major powers.
Vietnam has emerged as one of India’s key strategic partners in Southeast Asia, with cooperation spanning defence, trade, energy and maritime affairs.
READ: India and Finland Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership During President Stubb’s State Visit
Growing Momentum in Bilateral Engagement
Following the meeting, Singh said in a post on X that the discussions had focused on adding “more vigour” to defence cooperation between the two countries.
He added that recent developments reflected “positive momentum” in bilateral engagement.
The latest talks continue a pattern of steadily expanding India-Vietnam relations, which have evolved from historical political ties into a broader strategic partnership encompassing security, connectivity and economic cooperation.
Defence analysts say India’s growing engagement with Vietnam is also consistent with New Delhi’s broader “Act East” policy, which seeks stronger economic and security integration with Southeast Asia.
For Vietnam, closer defence engagement with India provides additional strategic partnerships in a rapidly changing regional security environment.
The meeting in New Delhi signals that both countries intend to continue deepening military and strategic cooperation as they navigate an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific landscape.
Don’t Miss: India and Canada Reset Ties With PM Mark Carney’s India Visit
Don’t Miss: INS Aridhaman: India Navy Commissions Third Nuclear Submarine
