Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang in Hanoi on 19 May 2026 to review the growing defence partnership between the two countries. The ministers examined ways to deepen cooperation in maritime security, defence industry collaboration, training and regional stability. They agreed to pursue enhanced high-level exchanges and institutional links to support long term strategic engagement.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global security developments of mutual interest and emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. Discussions covered military training, capacity building, United Nations peacekeeping, cyber security and maritime domain awareness as areas for immediate focus. Both ministers endorsed regular dialogues, joint exercises and personnel exchange programmes to strengthen interoperability and preparedness.

The ministers jointly inaugurated a Language Lab at the Air Force Officers College in Vietnam that was established with Indian assistance and noted its utility for professional education. Raksha Mantri announced the setting up of an Artificial Intelligence Lab at the Tele Communications University in Nha Trang as part of capacity enhancement efforts. The Military College of Telecommunications Engineering, India and the Tele Communications University, Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technology to deepen research collaboration.

Following the bilateral talks, the Raksha Mantri telephoned the General Secretary and President of Vietnam To Lam to convey warm greetings from the President and Prime Minister of India and to reiterate India’s commitment to intensify cooperation across defence and security, trade and investment, maritime cooperation, connectivity, digital transformation and people to people exchanges. The leaders reaffirmed the enduring friendship rooted in civilisational links, mutual trust and convergent strategic interests and expressed satisfaction at the continued growth of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Earlier in the day the Raksha Mantri paid homage at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the leader’s 136th birth anniversary and acknowledged the historical foundations of bilateral ties.