Vietnam, India pledge to strengthen defense cooperation

The event was co-chaired by Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

During the dialogue, Chien highlighted that the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, including in defense, have steadily strengthened.

Since the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, ties have grown increasingly substantive across political, diplomatic, and defense-security sectors.

Chien repeated Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy, which emphasizes independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, and the diversification and multilateralization of international relations.

He underscored Vietnam’s readiness to work with other countries and international organizations to promote peace, cooperation, and development.

He reiterated Vietnam’s defense policy of ‘four no’s’ — meaning no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases in Vietnamese territory, and no use or threat of force in international relations.

Chien underscored Vietnam’s commitment to resolving all disputes in the East Vietnam Sea through peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He reaffirmed adherence to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea and encouraged the early completion and effective implementation of a Code of Conduct for the maritime region.

To further boost defense ties, Chien proposed that both sides continue close coordination to promote high-level exchanges, maintain regular dialogue mechanisms, enhance cooperation in training, UN peacekeeping, and the defense industry, and advance credit and non-refundable aid packages.

He also suggested exploring collaboration in emerging areas such as cybersecurity, military medicine, and search and rescue, tailored to the capacities and needs of both countries.

He further affirmed Vietnam’s support for India in strengthening defense cooperation with ASEAN nations, particularly within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM+).

Secretary Singh expressed condolences for the human and material losses caused by recent storms in central Vietnam.

He emphasized that deepened defense cooperation remains a key pillar of Vietnam–India relations, encompassing peacekeeping, professional exchanges, training, and defense industry collaboration.

Singh highlighted the upcoming Vietnam–India Bilateral Exercise 2025 (VINBAX 2025), which includes joint field exercises on UN peacekeeping, describing it as an important component of bilateral defense cooperation and supporting its expansion in both scale and scope.

He and Chien exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared concern.

The dialogue concluded with the signing and exchange of the event's minutes, further reinforcing defense ties between Vietnam and India.