New Delhi: India and Vietnam on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence cooperation across emerging and strategic domains, as the 15th edition of the India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) was held in Hanoi. The meeting was co-chaired by defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s deputy minister of national defence Hoang Xuan Chien.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress in key areas such as hydrography cooperation, capacity building and training, UN peacekeeping operations, port calls and ship visits, and joint efforts in artificial intelligence and shipyard upgradation.
A major outcome of the dialogue was the signing of an MoAon mutual submarine search and rescue support and cooperation, creating a framework for collaboration in submarine emergency and recovery operations. Additionally, a letter of intent (LoI) on strengthening defence industry cooperation was signed to promote transfer of technology, focus on high-tech and core domains, and facilitate joint research, ventures, design and production of defence equipment.
The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in cyber security, real-time information exchange, military medicine and expert exchanges. They also held discussions on the regional security environment, underscoring the importance of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Under the ongoing ‘implementing arrangement on defence industry cooperation’ between India’s Department of Defence Production and Vietnam’s General Department of Defence Industry, both sides decided to convene the next review meeting in December 2025.
During his visit, Singh also called on Vietnam’s minister of national defence Phan Van Giang, and briefed him on the key outcomes of the dialogue. It was agreed that the 16th DPD will be held in India in 2026.
The DPD remains the central mechanism for steering the India-Vietnam defence partnership, aligned with the India-Vietnam Joint Vision Statement 2030. Defence cooperation forms a crucial pillar of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh meets Vietnam's deputy defence minister Hoang Xuan Chien on the sidelines of the 15th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue in Hanoi on November 10.
Vietnam holds a pivotal place in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and is a vital partner in New Delhi’s Indo-Pacific vision. Officials said the defence secretary’s visit has added fresh momentum to bilateral ties and opened new avenues for cooperation in cutting-edge defence technologies.