India, Vietnam Deepen Defence Ties; Focus on Indo-Pacific Security and AI Cooperation

Defence ties between India and Vietnam received a major boost as Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang in Hanoi on May 19, 2026. The two leaders reviewed the expanding defence partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the meeting, both sides discussed regional and global security developments and explored ways to deepen cooperation in maritime security, defence industry, military training, cyber security, capacity building and United Nations peacekeeping operations. The ministers also agreed to strengthen engagement between the armed forces of the two countries through regular high-level dialogues, joint exercises and exchange programmes.

Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and assured continued support for Vietnam’s defence modernisation and capacity enhancement initiatives. He emphasised that India and Vietnam share a strong relationship rooted in mutual trust, shared values and common strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

General Phan Van Giang appreciated India’s consistent support and highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations. He noted that defence cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of the growing strategic partnership between India and Vietnam.

In a major development, the two defence ministers virtually inaugurated a new Language Lab at the Air Force Officers’ College in Vietnam, established with Indian assistance. Rajnath Singh also announced the setting up of an Artificial Intelligence Lab at the Tele Communications University in Nha Trang, aimed at strengthening technological cooperation between the two countries.

India and Vietnam further expanded their collaboration in emerging technologies as the Military College of Telecommunications Engineering, India and the Tele Communications University of Vietnam exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technology. Officials described the agreement as another significant milestone in the growing India-Vietnam strategic partnership.

Following the bilateral talks, Rajnath Singh called on To Lam and conveyed warm greetings from India’s President and Prime Minister. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, maritime cooperation, connectivity, digital transformation and people-to-people exchanges.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued growth of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties across multiple sectors. President To Lam appreciated India’s role as a key development and strategic partner for Vietnam and welcomed the growing defence engagement between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh paid tribute to Vietnam’s founding father Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on the occasion of his 136th birth anniversary. In a message posted on X, the Raksha Mantri said Ho Chi Minh’s vision, leadership and commitment to national liberation and global solidarity continue to inspire generations and laid the foundation of the enduring friendship between India and Vietnam.

India and Vietnam have steadily expanded cooperation in recent years across defence, maritime security, trade, digital technology and regional connectivity, reflecting their shared vision for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.