India, Vietnam Strengthen Maritime and Defence Ties for Security

India and Vietnam strengthen maritime and defence cooperation, focusing on technology sharing, defence industry collaboration and ASEAN-led security mechanisms to support regional stability and a rules-based Indo-Pacific.

India and Vietnam reaffirm their commitment to strengthening maritime and defence cooperation as the two countries seek to contribute to regional peace, stability and a rules-based security order in the Indo-Pacific. The commitment comes during a meeting between India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The discussions focus on advancing the longstanding strategic partnership between India and Vietnam and building greater momentum in bilateral defence engagement. The two sides review opportunities to accelerate joint initiatives, expand technology sharing and promote cooperation in the defence industry. These areas are expected to strengthen the capabilities of both countries while creating greater scope for practical collaboration.

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Maritime security remains a key component of the discussions. India and Vietnam emphasise the importance of stronger maritime cooperation in supporting a peaceful and stable regional environment. Their engagement also reflects a shared interest in maintaining a rules-based regional security architecture and addressing emerging security challenges through greater coordination.

The two countries also underline the importance of cooperation through multilateral and ASEAN-led mechanisms. India and Vietnam particularly highlight the role of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in facilitating dialogue and practical collaboration among countries across the Indo-Pacific.

The ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups are also recognised as important platforms for strengthening collective responses to evolving security challenges. India and Vietnam reaffirm their commitment to using such mechanisms to promote regional stability and develop stronger security frameworks.

The latest engagement builds on the strategic direction provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart during their recent meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The leaders emphasise the importance of deepening the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, providing further impetus to defence and security cooperation.

India and Vietnam also agree to hold the next Defence Policy Dialogue in India on the sidelines of Aero India 2027. The upcoming dialogue is expected to provide another platform for reviewing bilateral defence cooperation and identifying new areas for collaboration.

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The expanding defence relationship forms part of India's broader engagement with Vietnam across strategic, economic and regional issues. For Vietnam, stronger defence and maritime cooperation with India supports its efforts to enhance regional partnerships and contribute to stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The latest meeting therefore reinforces the growing strategic convergence between the two countries. By expanding defence industrial cooperation, technology sharing, maritime engagement and coordination through ASEAN-led platforms, India and Vietnam seek to build a stronger foundation for regional security and a stable rules-based order.