Vietnam Eyes Expanded Defense Cooperation with India

On the morning of September 13, Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Member of the Central Military Commission, and Deputy Minister of National Defense, met with Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary of India. The meeting took place in New Delhi, India, on the occasion of the Prime Minister's delegation attending the 18th BRICS Summit. During the cordial and constructive meeting, both sides discussed measures to expand defense cooperation between Vietnam and India. They expressed their shared commitment to further strengthening the existing defense ties, which are built on mutual trust and shared strategic interests. The discussions highlighted the importance of regular dialogues and joint exercises to enhance interoperability and address common security challenges. Both sides acknowledged the significant progress made in their defense relations over the years and expressed a desire to explore new avenues for collaboration, including in areas such as maritime security, defense industry, and personnel training. This engagement is part of Vietnam's broader strategy to deepen its strategic partnerships with key countries in the Indo-Pacific region. By strengthening defense ties with India, Vietnam aims to enhance its own security capabilities and contribute to regional stability and prosperity. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional and international security issues of mutual concern. Lieutenant General Thang conveyed Vietnam's appreciation for India's support and cooperation in defense matters and reiterated Vietnam's commitment to a strong and comprehensive strategic partnership with India. Mr. Singh, in turn, emphasized India's unwavering commitment to its partnership with Vietnam and expressed confidence that the discussions would lead to further concrete outcomes in defense cooperation.