Hanoi [Vietnam]: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval met Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, in Hanoi on November 2, 2026, to review ongoing bilateral defence cooperation. Both sides agreed to further strengthen defence engagement as part of the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.ed
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The meeting formed part of Doval’s official visit to Vietnam to engage with the country’s leadership and advance cooperation in security, defence and strategic affairs. The visit followed the fourth India-Vietnam Security Dialogue held in New Delhi on October 16, which reviewed cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security, economic security and emerging technologies.
Defence cooperation remains a key pillar of India-Vietnam relations. Both countries are pursuing greater military training, joint exercises, defence-industry collaboration, technology development and maritime security cooperation, guided by their Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030.
The engagement built on the elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Vietnamese President To Lam’s state visit to India in May 2026. During the visit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and General Phan Van Giang also reviewed defence cooperation and advanced collaboration in areas including artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
India and Vietnam’s expanding security partnership supports their shared interest in regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific. The latest meeting reinforced the commitment to deepen defence cooperation, although no new defence agreement is announced in the reported discussions.
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