Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Hanoi on May 18 as part of his two-nation tour aimed at strengthening India’s strategic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. This visit marks a significant step in enhancing bilateral ties between India and Vietnam.

Upon his arrival, Singh was greeted at the airport by the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, and the Defence Attaché from the Indian Embassy. Senior officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence and members of the Indian Embassy were also present to welcome him.

This visit follows the recent state visit of To Lam, Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, to New Delhi, which has been viewed as a clear indication of the increasing momentum in defence cooperation between India and Vietnam.

Defence Cooperation Talks and Key Issues

During his visit, Defence Minister Singh is set to engage in discussions with his Vietnamese counterpart. The meetings will likely cover a wide array of defence and security cooperation matters, including military exchanges and the state of defence manufacturing activities.

A significant aspect of the talks will reportedly involve the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. Both nations are expected to review progress on a potential supply agreement that has been a topic of discussion for some time.

Defence cooperation, particularly in the areas of technology transfer and joint military exercises, remains a priority for both nations. The discussions aim to explore avenues for enhanced collaboration in regional security frameworks as well.

Upcoming Engagements in the Republic of Korea

Vietnam is the first destination in Rajnath Singh’s two-nation tour, with the next stop being the Republic of Korea. There, defence manufacturing, military industry collaboration, and technology exchanges are expected to take centre stage.

Soon after arriving in South Korea, Singh will hold bilateral talks with Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back. These discussions will aim to strengthen defence cooperation and seek out new initiatives that can enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.

Additional engagements include meetings with Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Lee Yong-cheol and chairing the India-Korea business roundtable, which aims to foster collaboration between both countries in defence sectors.

A joint inauguration of the Indian War Memorial is also scheduled for May 21, in collaboration with Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul. This development underlines the commitment to preserving historical ties and enhancing bilateral engagements.

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