Vietnam, Malaysia Defence Ministers Meet in Hanoi, Aim to Bolster Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang expressed satisfaction with the strong development of Vietnam-Malaysia relations during his talks with Malaysian Minister of Defence Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin in Hanoi. He highlighted the historic elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in November 2024. General Giang congratulated Malaysia's Ministry of Defence on successfully hosting ASEAN military and defence meetings during its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. He noted that this contributed to strengthening ASEAN centrality and promoting the bloc's goals of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world. The meeting focused on further deepening cooperation in the defence sector. Both sides agreed to expand the framework of defence collaboration through joint efforts in addressing regional and international security challenges, enhancing information exchange, and conducting joint exercises. Vietnam has increasingly asserted its role as a key player in the Southeast Asian region in recent years, pursuing a balanced foreign policy, particularly in its relations with China. The strengthening of defence cooperation with Malaysia is seen as part of Vietnam's broader foreign policy strategy in the region. The stable political foundation under Vietnam's one-party system, coupled with its rapid economic growth, is believed to support such proactive foreign policy initiatives. Information Source: VietnamPlus English