India, Vietnam deepen defence cooperation with focus on maritime security

Key points

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang in Hanoi on Tuesday (May 19, 2026), with both sides agreeing to further strengthen defence and strategic cooperation.
• A new phase in the India-Vietnam strategic partnership The Ministry of Defence stated that the discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in maritime security, defence industry, military training, cyber security, capacity building and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
• The two leaders also reviewed regional and global security developments and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in the region.
• Both countries agreed to expand cooperation through regular dialogues, joint military exercises and exchange programmes between their armed forces.
• Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s defence modernisation and capacity enhancement initiatives under the bilateral defence cooperation framework, it added.