Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh during a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang in New Delhi on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang in New Delhi on Wednesday (6 May 2026) and affirmed the strong momentum of India-Vietnam defense relations.
According to Defense Ministry sources, Mr. Singh is likely to visit Vietnam in the second half of May to enhance defense cooperation. The ministry said the meeting reflected growing strategic confidence in the expanded India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides reviewing ongoing defense cooperation.
Leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady progress in high-level exchanges, training programs and capacity-building initiatives.
Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in key areas such as maritime security; defense industry cooperation; and joint research, joint development and co-production. Both sides also emphasized the need to strengthen regular military interactions, including port calls, joint exercises and institutional dialogue mechanisms.
Mr. Singh highlighted the convergence of strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region and reiterated India’s commitment to work with Vietnam under its MAHASAGAR vision. The term stands for Mutual and Holistic Progress for Security and Growth for all in the region.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global security challenges and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability and the rules-based international order.
In a post on X, Mr Singh said the talks focused on strengthening defense cooperation between India and Vietnam. Recent developments reflected “the positive momentum of our engagement”, he added.
The meeting ended with both states reaffirming their commitment to further deepening defense ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation in the coming years.
Published – 06 May 2026 16:36 IST
