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Bilateral defence cooperation has seen good progress made since the signing of key agreements in 2022
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang engaged in comprehensive bilateral talks on Monday (June 19, 2023), marking a significant step towards strengthening defense cooperation. The meeting took place during General Giang's official two-day visit to India, which also included a cultural excursion to Agra.
"Progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives was reviewed during the meeting, with both sides expressing satisfaction at the ongoing engagements,' the Ministry of Defence said. Defence Minister Singh also announced the gifting of indigenously-built in-service Missile Corvette INS Kirpan which will be a milestone in enhancing the capabilities of Vietnam People’s Navy, the ministry added.
The talks focused on further strengthening the defence cooperation between the two nations, which share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The bilateral defence relations between India and Vietnam form a significant pillar of this partnership. The defence engagements between the two nations have diversified to include wide-ranging contacts between the services, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programmes, cooperation in UN Peacekeeping, ship visits, and bilateral exercises.
The bilateral talks come a year after Defence Minister Singh's three-day visit to Vietnam from June 8-10, 2022, where he presided over the handing over ceremony of 12 High Speed Guard Boats constructed under the Government of India’s $US 100 million Defence Line of Credit to Vietnam. This was significant in the context of the growing defence industry cooperation with Vietnam.
During the visit, major overarching guiding documents, namely the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' and a Memorandum of Understanding on 'Mutual Logistics Support', were signed. These documents have significantly enhanced the scope and scale of defence cooperation between both countries.
Vietnam holds significant importance as a partner in India's Act East policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Over time, the bilateral defense engagements between India and Vietnam have expanded and encompassed a wide range of activities, fostering closer ties between the two nations.
One crucial aspect of this partnership is the regular defense policy dialogues that take place between India and Vietnam. These dialogues serve as platforms for both countries to discuss and coordinate their defense strategies, exchange information on regional security challenges, and explore avenues for cooperation in various defense-related areas.
Furthermore, military-to-military exchanges play a vital role in strengthening the defense ties between India and Vietnam. These exchanges involve the interaction between the armed forces of both countries, facilitating the sharing of best practices, expertise, and operational experiences.
High-level visits between the leaders and officials of both countries also contribute to the deepening of defense cooperation. These visits provide opportunities for discussions on important defense matters, the signing of agreements, and the exploration of new avenues for collaboration. Such engagements demonstrate the commitment of both India and Vietnam to further strengthening their defense ties.
Capacity building and training programs are an essential component of the defense cooperation between India and Vietnam. These programs aim to enhance the capabilities of the Vietnamese armed forces through the sharing of technical expertise, training modules, and educational opportunities. By assisting Vietnam in building its defense capabilities, India contributes to the country's self-reliance and overall security.
Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping is another area where India and Vietnam collaborate. Both countries actively participate in UN peacekeeping missions, contributing troops and resources to maintain international peace and security. This shared commitment to peacekeeping efforts strengthens the bond between India and Vietnam and underscores their shared values and aspirations.
Ship visits and bilateral exercises further bolster the defence cooperation between the two nations. These activities involve the visitation of naval vessels between India and Vietnam, facilitating naval diplomacy and fostering greater maritime security cooperation. Bilateral exercises allow the armed forces of both countries to train together, exchange operational knowledge, and enhance interoperability, which is crucial in addressing common security challenges.
The meeting between Singh and Giang, on the historic occasion of 50 years of establishment of India-Vietnam diplomatic relations and 75 years of India’s Independence, is expected to further consolidate the bilateral defence cooperation and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
"Progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives was reviewed during the meeting, with both sides expressing satisfaction at the ongoing engagements,' the Ministry of Defence said. Defence Minister Singh also announced the gifting of indigenously-built in-service Missile Corvette INS Kirpan which will be a milestone in enhancing the capabilities of Vietnam People’s Navy, the ministry added.
The talks focused on further strengthening the defence cooperation between the two nations, which share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The bilateral defence relations between India and Vietnam form a significant pillar of this partnership. The defence engagements between the two nations have diversified to include wide-ranging contacts between the services, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programmes, cooperation in UN Peacekeeping, ship visits, and bilateral exercises.
The bilateral talks come a year after Defence Minister Singh's three-day visit to Vietnam from June 8-10, 2022, where he presided over the handing over ceremony of 12 High Speed Guard Boats constructed under the Government of India’s $US 100 million Defence Line of Credit to Vietnam. This was significant in the context of the growing defence industry cooperation with Vietnam.
During the visit, major overarching guiding documents, namely the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' and a Memorandum of Understanding on 'Mutual Logistics Support', were signed. These documents have significantly enhanced the scope and scale of defence cooperation between both countries.
Vietnam holds significant importance as a partner in India's Act East policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Over time, the bilateral defense engagements between India and Vietnam have expanded and encompassed a wide range of activities, fostering closer ties between the two nations.
One crucial aspect of this partnership is the regular defense policy dialogues that take place between India and Vietnam. These dialogues serve as platforms for both countries to discuss and coordinate their defense strategies, exchange information on regional security challenges, and explore avenues for cooperation in various defense-related areas.
Furthermore, military-to-military exchanges play a vital role in strengthening the defense ties between India and Vietnam. These exchanges involve the interaction between the armed forces of both countries, facilitating the sharing of best practices, expertise, and operational experiences.
High-level visits between the leaders and officials of both countries also contribute to the deepening of defense cooperation. These visits provide opportunities for discussions on important defense matters, the signing of agreements, and the exploration of new avenues for collaboration. Such engagements demonstrate the commitment of both India and Vietnam to further strengthening their defense ties.
Capacity building and training programs are an essential component of the defense cooperation between India and Vietnam. These programs aim to enhance the capabilities of the Vietnamese armed forces through the sharing of technical expertise, training modules, and educational opportunities. By assisting Vietnam in building its defense capabilities, India contributes to the country's self-reliance and overall security.
Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping is another area where India and Vietnam collaborate. Both countries actively participate in UN peacekeeping missions, contributing troops and resources to maintain international peace and security. This shared commitment to peacekeeping efforts strengthens the bond between India and Vietnam and underscores their shared values and aspirations.
Ship visits and bilateral exercises further bolster the defence cooperation between the two nations. These activities involve the visitation of naval vessels between India and Vietnam, facilitating naval diplomacy and fostering greater maritime security cooperation. Bilateral exercises allow the armed forces of both countries to train together, exchange operational knowledge, and enhance interoperability, which is crucial in addressing common security challenges.
The meeting between Singh and Giang, on the historic occasion of 50 years of establishment of India-Vietnam diplomatic relations and 75 years of India’s Independence, is expected to further consolidate the bilateral defence cooperation and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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