India and Vietnam have taken another major step toward strengthening their long-standing defence partnership by signing a new agreement aimed at expanding cooperation across key strategic and technological domains. The accord was concluded during the 15th India–Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue held in Hanoi this week.
The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Under the new pact, India and Vietnam will collaborate on submarine search and rescue operations, technology transfer, and defence industry cooperation. The initiative is expected to enhance joint capabilities in critical maritime zones and promote safety in regional waters.
Officials also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) focusing on deeper engagement in defence production, R&D collaboration, and industrial partnerships. This includes establishing joint ventures, expert exchanges, and potential co-development of military technologies and systems.
Both countries agreed to intensify cooperation in training programs, hydrography, cybersecurity, AI-based maritime technology, and ship maintenance. The dialogue also featured discussions on regional security challenges and evolving threats in the Indo-Pacific, with a shared emphasis on maritime domain awareness and strategic coordination.
Defence analysts view this agreement as a critical component of India’s Act East Policy, aimed at reinforcing strategic partnerships with ASEAN nations. For Vietnam, it reflects its growing trust in India as a reliable defence partner, particularly in the face of increasing maritime security concerns in the South China Sea.
The new collaboration is set to create a framework for defence technology exchange and industry modernization, further diversifying Vietnam’s defence ties and strengthening India’s footprint in Southeast Asia. Both sides are expected to hold follow-up meetings to finalize timelines for implementation and identify priority areas for cooperation.
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