India-Vietnam Defence Ties Gain Momentum as Leaders Strengthen Indo-Pacific Bond

India and Vietnam have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their defence ties, with a high-level meeting between Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam's Deputy Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang in New Delhi.

The meeting, which took place on September 13, 2026, marked a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between the two nations, with a focus on accelerating joint initiatives, technology sharing, and defence industrial collaboration. The discussions centered on advancing regional security and deepening the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was reaffirmed by both sides.

The meeting was a direct result of the recent high-level bilateral meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Vietnam on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The two leaders had set forth a strategic vision for the future of their relationship, and the defence meeting was a key step in implementing that vision.

One of the key areas of focus for the defence meeting was the acceleration of joint initiatives between India and Vietnam. The two sides discussed ways to enhance their defence cooperation, including the sharing of technology and expertise. They also explored opportunities for defence industrial collaboration, which could help to strengthen the bilateral relationship and promote regional security.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of close coordination between India and Vietnam in multilateral fora. The two sides emphasized the value of active engagement under the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) construct, which brings together defence ministers from across the region to address complex security dynamics.

The ADMM-Plus construct is a key platform for promoting regional security and stability, and India and Vietnam are committed to playing an active role in it. They also emphasized the importance of collaborative platforms like the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Groups, which are vital for maintaining regional stability and building collective security architectures in the Indo-Pacific.

The defence meeting also saw the two sides agree on the scheduled conduct of the next Defence Policy Dialogue, which will be hosted in India on the sidelines of Aero India 2027. This dialogue will provide a further opportunity for India and Vietnam to discuss their defence cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration.

The defence meeting between India and Vietnam is a significant development in the bilateral relationship between the two nations. It marks a new chapter in their defence cooperation and highlights the growing momentum in their relationship. The meeting underscores the shared commitment of both sides to promoting regional security and stability, and it sets the stage for further cooperation in the future.

Strengthening Defence Ties

The defence meeting between India and Vietnam is a key step in strengthening their bilateral relationship. The two sides have made significant progress in recent years, and this meeting marks a new chapter in their defence cooperation.

Accelerating Joint Initiatives

The meeting focused on accelerating joint initiatives between India and Vietnam. The two sides discussed ways to enhance their defence cooperation, including the sharing of technology and expertise.

Regional Security

The meeting highlighted the importance of close coordination between India and Vietnam in multilateral fora. The two sides emphasized the value of active engagement under the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) construct.

Defence Industrial Collaboration

The meeting also explored opportunities for defence industrial collaboration between India and Vietnam. This could help to strengthen the bilateral relationship and promote regional security.

Key Takeaways

• India and Vietnam have strengthened their defence ties with a high-level meeting between Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam's Deputy Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang.
• The meeting focused on accelerating joint initiatives, technology sharing, and defence industrial collaboration.
• The two sides emphasized the importance of close coordination in multilateral fora, including the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) construct.
• The defence meeting sets the stage for further cooperation between India and Vietnam in the future.