15th Vietnam-India Defense Policy Dialogue convenes in Hanoi

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of Defense of Vietnam, and Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the 15th Vietnam-India Defense Policy Dialogue. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

During the Dialogue, both sides exchanged views on global and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. Senior Lieutenant General Chien emphasized that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India has been continuously strengthened and developed. Particularly since the bilateral relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, cooperation between the two countries has become more substantive and effective across all pillars, especially in political-diplomatic and defense-security areas.

Based on signed documents, agreements, and directives from the high-level leaders of both countries, the Vietnam-India defense cooperation has been actively and effectively implemented in various fields. Highlights include delegation exchanges, high-level contacts, dialogue mechanisms, consultations, young officer exchanges, training, education, military cooperation, UN peacekeeping, and defense industry collaboration.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh signed the dialogue minutes. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The Ministry of National Defense leadership affirmed Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, with multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations. Vietnam is ready to cooperate with countries and international organizations for peace, cooperation, and development, adhering to the "four no's" defense policy.

Vietnam advocates resolving all disputes and differences in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) through peaceful means based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Vietnam adheres to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and promotes the early conclusion of a substantive, effective, and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Regarding future cooperation directions, the Deputy Minister of Defense suggested that both sides continue to closely coordinate to promote areas such as increasing delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones; maintaining regular dialogue and consultation mechanisms; enhancing cooperation in training, UN peacekeeping, and defense industry; promoting the implementation of credit and non-refundable aid packages; and exploring potential cooperation areas like cybersecurity, military medicine, and search and rescue, in line with the needs and capabilities of both sides.

Affirming that the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense always supports India's strengthening of defense cooperation with ASEAN countries, especially within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM), Deputy Minister Chien expressed the desire for both sides to continue enhancing coordination in multilateral forums, particularly those led by ASEAN, and to support and participate in multilateral activities organized by each side.

Delegates from the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam and India take a commemorative photo. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

On this occasion, on behalf of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Chien thanked the Indian Ministry of Defense for sending a delegation to attend the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the second Vietnam International Defense Expo. He also extended a cordial invitation to the Indian Ministry of Defense delegation and Indian businesses to attend the third Vietnam International Defense Expo, scheduled for late 2026.

Expressing deep sympathy with Vietnam for the recent losses and damages caused by natural disasters, Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense for their warm and thoughtful reception. He affirmed that defense cooperation is one of the important pillars in the bilateral relationship, spanning various fields such as UN peacekeeping, professional exchanges, training, and defense industry.

On November 11, the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-India Bilateral Exercise on UN Peacekeeping 2025 (VINBAX 2025) is held in Vietnam. Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh emphasized that joint field exercises on UN peacekeeping play a crucial role in bilateral defense cooperation and expressed support for expanding the scope and scale of the exercise.

Vietnam-India Defense Cooperation Continues to Expand General Phan Van Giang, Minister of Defense, received Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on November 10. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) During the meeting with Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on the same afternoon, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of Defense of Vietnam, affirmed that Vietnam always values its traditional friendship with India. General Phan Van Giang expressed confidence that Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh's visit to Vietnam and the accompanying delegation will be successful, contributing to promoting friendship, cooperation, trust, and mutual understanding between the two countries in general and their defense ministries and armies in particular. In recent times, bilateral defense cooperation has continuously expanded, deepened, and achieved practical results. Both sides have actively implemented cooperation contents according to signed agreements, maintained consultation and dialogue mechanisms, facilitated young officer exchanges, effectively conducted training cooperation, and strengthened cooperation between military branches, peacekeeping, and multilateral forums. The Vietnamese Minister of Defense appreciated and thanked the Indian Government and Ministry of Defense for their support and assistance to Vietnam, especially in providing free training for hundreds of Vietnam People's Army officers in various fields and offering aid packages and preferential credits to Vietnam. Welcoming the results of the 15th Vietnam-India Defense Policy Dialogue held on the same afternoon, co-chaired by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, General Phan Van Giang assessed that the potential for cooperation between the two sides is significant. He suggested that the defense ministries of both countries focus on further promoting friendship, understanding, and mutual trust, taking cooperation to a deeper and more effective level. Thanking Minister Phan Van Giang for the reception, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh affirmed that India and Vietnam share many cultural, human, and historical similarities. Emphasizing that defense is a key driver in promoting bilateral relations, the Indian Defense Secretary expressed confidence that the results of the 15th Vietnam-India Defense Policy Dialogue will lay an important foundation for further advancing bilateral defense cooperation.