India -Vietnam defence Cooperation
In a significant stride towards enhancing regional security and deepening bilateral ties, India and Vietnam recently expanded their defence cooperation during the 15th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue held in Hanoi on November 10, 2025. This milestone event marked fresh agreements and renewed commitments, reflecting both countries’ shared vision for a stable, secure Indo-Pacific region.
A New Era of Maritime Security: Submarine Search and Rescue Pact
One of the landmark outcomes of this dialogue was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) focused on mutual submarine search and rescue support and cooperation. This pact establishes a formal framework for coordinated assistance during submarine emergencies, including deployment of personnel and sharing of specialized equipment and protocols. The agreement not only strengthens the operational interoperability of the Indian Navy and the Vietnamese Navy but also enhances maritime safety in a region marked by growing underwater activity and strategic complexity. This collaboration underscores the growing importance both nations place on safeguarding their maritime domains and responding swiftly to potential submarine missions or distress scenarios.
 |
| Image by:- PIB |
Boosting Defence Industry Collaboration: Innovation and Self-Reliance
Complementing the operational pact, India and Vietnam also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) aimed at boosting cooperation in the defence industry sector. This agreement prioritizes joint research, transfer of technology, establishment of joint ventures, and procurement of critical materials and equipment. By fostering defence production capabilities and technological innovation, these initiatives support the self-reliance goals of both countries while advancing their ability to co-develop and manufacture cutting-edge defence hardware. The collaboration is expected to benefit sectors including advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, and cyber defence technologies.
Venturing into Emerging Security Domains
The dialogue was not confined to traditional defence areas; both countries agreed to widen their cooperation into emerging and crucial domains. This includes strengthening partnerships in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), real-time information exchange, military medicine, and expert exchanges. Progress was also acknowledged in hydrography, shipyard modernization, increased naval port calls, and capacity building through joint training exercises. Such multi-dimensional cooperation reflects the evolving nature of defence partnerships in the 21st century, with a focus on technology-driven security and comprehensive engagement.
Strategic Context: Pillar of Comprehensive Partnership and Act East Policy
The India-Vietnam defence cooperation forms a vital pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established over recent years. Vietnam’s geographic location and strategic outlook make it a key partner in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Both countries share mutual concerns about regional security challenges, particularly in the South China Sea, and emphasize maintaining freedom of navigation and a rules-based regional order. By expanding defence ties, they reaffirm their commitment to stability, security, and self-reliant defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific theater.
Looking Ahead: Continuing a Robust Defence Dialogue
This 15th Defence Policy Dialogue was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. The meeting reviewed previous achievements and set the stage for more ambitious cooperation. The next 16th Defence Policy Dialogue is scheduled to take place in India in 2026, promising further consolidation of this vital bilateral partnership.
