Vietnam, India aim to deepen security cooperation, expand institutional coordination

The emphasis was made during a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday between Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, as part of Lam’s state visit to India from May 5 to 7 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Both sides acknowledged that security cooperation is becoming an increasingly important pillar of bilateral relations.

They highlighted the need for closer collaboration between agencies responsible for security, law enforcement, and policy-making, while strengthening information sharing and operational cooperation.

The two leaders also agreed to expand cooperation in cybersecurity, including protecting digital infrastructure, combating high-tech crime, and improving capabilities to address non-traditional security challenges.

On the basis of their comprehensive strategic partnership, both sides placed strong emphasis on effective coordination in combating terrorism, transnational crime, online fraud, and other emerging threats, with the aim of safeguarding national security and social order in each country.

They agreed to strengthen the linkage between security and development, expanding cooperation in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy, and high-quality human resource training, which are seen as key to enhancing strategic autonomy amid intensifying global technological competition.

Welcoming Lam’s visit in his new capacity, Doval said the trip marks an important milestone in deepening Vietnam-India relations, particularly in key areas of security and development.

He noted that despite a global environment marked by ‘instability and uncertainty,’ mutual trust and shared aspirations for development remain stabilizing factors in bilateral ties.

Doval also expressed admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and its growing international role, reaffirming that New Delhi continues to regard Hanoi as a key partner in the region, contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

Lam, for his part, stressed that Vietnam-India relations are built on strong political trust, shared strategic vision, and long-term development interests.

He reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing and strengthening ties with India, while supporting India’s growing role in regional and global mechanisms.

The Vietnamese leader noted that although the regional and global situations remain volatile, bilateral relations have remained resilient, with his visit reflecting the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared contribution to regional and global peace and stability.

On regional and international issues, both sides insisted on maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They were committed to strengthening strategic consultations and coordination at regional and international forums, contributing to a stable, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture amid an evolving security environment.

Both sides expressed confidence that with strong political will, high strategic trust and shared perspectives, particularly in the security domain, Vietnam-India relations will continue to deepen in a more substantive and effective manner for the benefit of their peoples and for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.