India pledges continued defense cooperation with Vietnam, considers new support package

Minister Singh made the commitment during a meeting with Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam in Hanoi on Tuesday, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting took place during Minister Singh’s official visit to Vietnam on May 18-19 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang.

The Indian official reaffirmed that Vietnam is among the most important partners in India’s Act East Policy and broader regional engagement strategy.

Praising Vietnam’s role and active contributions to promoting regional cooperation, he said India would continue strengthening defense ties with Vietnam and expanding programs for high-quality human resource training.

He also pledged close coordination with Vietnam to complete ongoing projects under existing defense credit and support packages, while considering a new package in line with the needs and capabilities of each side.

Minister Singh agreed to work with relevant Indian ministries and agencies to further promote cooperation in science and technology, as well as strengthen air and maritime connectivity between the two countries.

He said he was honored to visit Vietnam during celebrations marking the birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh and expressed his admiration for the late Vietnamese leader.

Noting that his visit to Vietnam comes soon after the state visit to India by General Secretary and State President Lam from May 5 to 7, Minister Singh said this reflects the strong desire and firm commitment of the Indian government to implementing high-level agreements and advancing bilateral relations.

He added that Indian leaders, as well as public opinion and the media in India, were highly impressed by the outcomes of the Vietnamese top leader’s visit, saying it carried special significance and opened a new chapter of deeper and more strategic cooperation in bilateral relations.

For his part, General Secretary and State President Lam said Minister Singh’s visit had helped advance the enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership recently agreed upon by the two countries.

He hailed the outcome of talks between Minister Singh and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Giang, and called on both sides to effectively implement signed agreements and further deepen bilateral defense cooperation.

Affirming that Vietnam highly values India’s role and contributions to regional peace, stability, and development, he said Vietnam has always regarded India as one of its most important partners and supports the country in playing a greater role in the region and globally.

The Vietnamese top leader added that Vietnam supports and is willing to actively participate in India’s global initiatives, while serving as a bridge to strengthen India’s cooperation with the region and contribute to a peaceful and stable environment based on respect for international law.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized that Vietnam and India share common perspectives on regional and global issues.

The two countries agreed to maintain exchanges of delegations, strengthen existing dialogue mechanisms, including consultations between the two defense ministries, and enhance information sharing and policy coordination on regional and international issues, particularly within ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus.