Ajit Doval meets Vietnam's defence minister in Hanoi, discusses stronger bilateral military ties

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday held talks with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, in Hanoi, with both sides agreeing to deepen their defence cooperation.

The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of ongoing bilateral defence engagements and exploring ways to expand collaboration in the sector. The Embassy of India in Vietnam announced the meeting in a post on X.

"NSA Ajit Doval met General Phan Van Giang, Politburo Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam, today. They reviewed ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to further deepen engagements in this domain," the embassy said.

Doval arrived in Hanoi on Sunday for an official visit during which he is scheduled to meet Vietnamese leaders and review the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

His discussions with Giang come amid efforts by New Delhi and Hanoi to expand cooperation across defence, maritime security, cybersecurity and other strategic areas. Doval also held talks on Monday with Vietnam's Minister of Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang, on strengthening bilateral security cooperation.

Defence partnership gains momentum

India and Vietnam have steadily expanded their defence relationship, with cooperation guided by the Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030.

The two countries elevated their bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Vietnamese President To Lam's state visit to India from May 5 to 7, 2026. The announcement followed wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and To Lam on May 6, covering bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments.

The leaders said closer cooperation would benefit the people of both countries and support their respective national development ambitions, including India's Viksit Bharat 2047 and Vietnam's Vision 2045. They also commended progress in implementing the defence partnership's joint vision towards 2030.

The May 2026 visit also saw a series of defence-related initiatives. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Giang in Hanoi on May 19, reviewing cooperation in maritime security, defence industry, military training and regional stability.

The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to peace, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. They also witnessed the virtual inauguration of a language laboratory at Vietnam's Air Force Officers' College. India and Vietnam signed an agreement on cooperation in artificial intelligence and quantum technology, while Rajnath Singh announced the establishment of an AI laboratory at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang.

The May joint statement also outlined plans to expand defence policy dialogue, joint exercises, staff talks, research and co-production of defence technologies. Other areas identified for greater cooperation included naval and air force visits, peacekeeping, information sharing, hydrography, maritime security, search and rescue operations, capacity building and defence industrial collaboration.

The two sides also welcomed progress in implementing India's Defence Lines of Credit to Vietnam, which are intended to strengthen the latter's defence capabilities. Existing arrangements include a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, an agreement on submarine search and rescue support, and a letter of intent on strengthening defence industrial cooperation.

Security dialogue covers cyber threats and maritime cooperation

Doval's Hanoi visit follows the fourth edition of the India-Vietnam Security Dialogue, held in New Delhi last month. The discussions covered counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime engagement, economic security and emerging technologies.

The dialogue was co-chaired by India's Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor and Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Public Security, Senior Lieutenant General Pham The Tung.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both delegations reviewed cooperation across several security-related areas and exchanged views on the regional and global security environment.

"Both sides undertook a comprehensive review of ongoing cooperation between the two countries covering, inter alia, economic security, maritime engagements, counter-terrorism, emerging technologies and cyber security. They also exchanged views on the regional and global security environment and reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration on issues of mutual interest," the ministry said.

The dialogue is held every two years under a 2016 memorandum of understanding between India's National Security Council Secretariat and Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security. Its fourth edition reflected the two countries' continued efforts to strengthen cooperation in both traditional and emerging security domains.

The May joint statement on the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership also called for closer collaboration between Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security and India's National Security Council Secretariat. The two sides agreed to expand information sharing and cooperation on cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, high-tech crime, transnational crime, money laundering and online scams.

Wider strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific

Defence and security cooperation form a key pillar of the expanded India-Vietnam partnership, particularly as both countries seek to promote stability and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

The May joint statement highlighted the importance of maritime cooperation, including regular maritime security dialogue, information sharing and joint activities. It also welcomed Vietnam's participation in India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

The two countries have additionally identified opportunities for cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, 6G, space, nuclear technology and marine sciences.

With Doval's latest meetings in Hanoi, India and Vietnam are continuing their engagement through established diplomatic and security mechanisms, while seeking to translate the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into deeper cooperation across defence and wider strategic interests.