India has signed a BrahMos cruise missile deal with Vietnam, while a similar agreement with Indonesia is in its final stages, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced during a visit to Singapore on Saturday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Singh revealed that the deal with Vietnam has already been signed, though not publicly announced, and could be worth approximately Rs 6,000 crore ($629 million), including training and logistical support.
Commitment to ASEAN Nations
Singh emphasized India's strong commitment to ASEAN nations, stating that India treats them as friendly foreign countries with whom advanced defence technologies can be shared. He noted that the Philippines was the first buyer of the Indo-Russian supersonic missile, receiving its first batch in 2024 and a second batch in April 2025. Singh stressed that countries typically sell sophisticated weapons systems to trusted partners, adding, 'Obviously you share technology with people you trust.'
Resilient Supply Chains and Partnerships
Addressing delegates at the Dialogue, Singh said India is ready to work with partners across the region and beyond to build resilient supply chains, trusted defence partnerships, secure maritime commons, and innovation cooperation. He highlighted that resilience has become a defining strategic requirement of our time. Earlier this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Hanoi for extensive discussions with Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang on expanding bilateral defence cooperation.
Diplomatic Engagements
Singh, who also holds the charge of DRDO chairman, held separate talks with senior officials from Australia, the European Union, and the Netherlands on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, as India steps up defence diplomacy with key Indo-Pacific and European partners. He and Australian counterpart Meghan Quinn reviewed the progress of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, discussed upcoming high-level engagements, and explored opportunities to strengthen defence cooperation in mutual interest areas.
