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India, Vietnam review defence ties; push for deeper maritime, industrial cooperation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Vietnam’s Phan Van Giang in New Delhi on May 6, 2026, reviewing ongoing defence cooperation and expressing satisfaction with progress in high-level exchanges, training, and capacity-building. They discussed expanding maritime security cooperation, defence industry collaboration, and joint R&D, with plans to boost regular military interactions. Defence Ministry sources indicated Singh is likely to visit Vietnam in the second half of May to strengthen ties.
Why It Matters
The meeting signals a strengthening of India–Vietnam defence collaboration, potentially expanding maritime security and defense-industrial cooperation in the region, and reinforcing a rules-based international order.
Timeline
2 Events
Defence Ministry: Singh likely to visit Vietnam in May 2026
May 6, 2026
Defence Ministry sources said Mr. Singh is likely to visit Vietnam in the second half of May 2026 to strengthen defence cooperation.
Rajnath Singh meets Phan Van Giang in New Delhi
May 6, 2026
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Phan Van Giang, in New Delhi on May 6, 2026. They reaffirmed momentum in India–Vietnam defence relations and reviewed ongoing cooperation, including high-level exchanges, training programmes, and capacity-building. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in maritime security, defence industry collaboration, and joint research, co-development, and co-production, with emphasis on increasing regular military interactions such as port calls, joint exercises, and institutional dialogue. They also exchanged views on regional and global security challenges and underscored a rules-based international order. Singh noted the talks added vigour to defence engagement with Vietnam, reflecting positive momentum.