India, Vietnam Review Maritime Security Cooperation

India and Vietnam reviewed maritime security and defence cooperation during bilateral meetings held in New Delhi on 6 May 2026 and in Hanoi on 19 May 2026. The discussions involved India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang, and covered defence partnership, military training, defence manufacturing, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

India-Vietnam Defence Partnership

India and Vietnam established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, and the relationship was later upgraded to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two countries have maintained defence cooperation through institutional dialogue, training exchanges, and naval interactions.

Maritime Security and Indo-Pacific Cooperation

Maritime security is a defence and foreign policy area linked to sea lanes, coastal surveillance, and naval coordination. India and Vietnam discussed port calls, joint exercises, and regular military interactions during the meetings in May 2026.

Defence Industry and Technology Cooperation

The two sides discussed joint research, co-development, and co-production in the defence industry. India and Vietnam also exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding in Artificial Intelligence and quantum technology on 19 May 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• Vietnam is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly known as ASEAN.
• The Indo-Pacific region includes the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean.
• Port calls are official visits by naval ships to foreign ports for diplomacy, logistics, or training.
• Quantum technology uses principles of quantum mechanics in computing, communication, and sensing.

Defence Education Cooperation

Rajnath Singh and Phan Van Giang jointly inaugurated a Language Laboratory at the Vietnam Air Force Officer College on 19 May 2026. Defence education cooperation between India and Vietnam includes training support and institutional exchanges.