Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with his Vietnamese counterpart in Hanoi on Tuesday, reaffirming India's commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam. The discussions focused on enhancing defence cooperation, maritime security, and regional stability.
Key Highlights of the Talks
During the meeting, both leaders reviewed ongoing defence initiatives and explored new avenues for collaboration. Singh emphasized India's unwavering support for Vietnam's capacity building in defence and security sectors. The two sides agreed to boost joint military exercises, training exchanges, and defence industry cooperation.
Maritime Security and Regional Stability
Maritime security was a major focus, with both ministers underscoring the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. They called for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India and Vietnam share common interests in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Strengthening Defence Industry Ties
The ministers discussed ways to enhance defence industrial collaboration, including co-production and technology transfer. Singh reiterated India's commitment to assist Vietnam in modernizing its armed forces. The two countries have a long history of defence cooperation, with India providing training to Vietnamese military personnel and supplying defence equipment.
India's 'Act East' Policy
Singh's visit is part of India's 'Act East' policy, which aims to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations. Vietnam is a key pillar of this policy, and the bilateral relationship has grown significantly in recent years. The talks also covered regional issues, including the situation in Myanmar and cooperation in multilateral forums such as ASEAN and the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.
Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral defence relations and agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further deepen the strategic partnership for mutual benefit and regional peace.
