Rajnath Singh Meets Vietnam Defence Minister, Reviews Maritime And Security Cooperation

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held bilateral talks with Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang in Hanoi, with both sides reviewing their growing strategic partnership and exploring ways to deepen cooperation in key defence and security areas. The discussions focused on maritime security, defence industry collaboration, military training and maintaining regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Following the meeting, Singh said the talks were productive and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam. In a post shared on X, the Indian Defence Minister stated that both nations continue to build closer ties based on shared strategic interests and long-standing diplomatic cooperation. The meeting comes as India and Vietnam mark a decade of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was recently upgraded during the state visit of Vietnamese President To Lam to India earlier this month.

During the visit, both leaders jointly inaugurated a Language Lab established at Vietnam’s Air Force Officers College, highlighting ongoing cooperation in military education and capacity building. The two sides also exchanged a memorandum of understanding in the fields of artificial intelligence and quantum technology, signalling an expansion of bilateral cooperation into advanced technological domains linked to defence and strategic innovation.

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Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh paid tribute to Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on the occasion of the Vietnamese leader’s 136th birth anniversary. Singh described Ho Chi Minh’s vision and commitment to national liberation as a continuing source of inspiration and said the India-Vietnam relationship remains rooted in mutual respect, shared values and historical friendship.

On Monday, Singh also addressed members of the Indian community in Hanoi, where he spoke about India’s evolving strategic and technological capabilities. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he described it as evidence of India’s emergence as a confident and capable nation. He reiterated India’s commitment to its “no first use” nuclear policy while asserting that the country would respond firmly to any threat or provocation. He also highlighted India’s rapid progress in the semiconductor sector and invited global partners to participate in India’s technological and economic growth.

Rajnath Singh arrived in Vietnam on Monday for a two-day official visit before proceeding to South Korea for the next leg of his diplomatic tour from May 19 to 21. The visit underscores India’s increasing engagement with Southeast Asian partners amid growing geopolitical and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Both India and Vietnam have steadily strengthened defence ties in recent years through military exchanges, naval cooperation and strategic dialogue aimed at enhancing regional security and stability.

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