Archive · 15 Sep 2026
India, Vietnam Deepen Defence Ties, Plan Equipment Co-Production
India and Vietnam agreed to work more closely on defence and security.
They discussed making some Indian defence equipment together.
Their foreign ministers met in India for the 19th Joint Commission Meeting.
The countries also want to increase trade, investment, transport links, and cooperation in space and nuclear energy.
India has already given Vietnam a missile corvette and helped provide high-speed guard boats.
The two countries said their relationship has grown stronger under an enhanced strategic partnership.
They also discussed working together in regional and international groups.
Next year, they plan to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations with a friendship year.
India and Vietnam agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, including co-production of Indian defence equipment.
External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung co-chaired the 19th Joint Commission Meeting.
The countries discussed expanding trade, investment, supply chains, connectivity, nuclear energy, space, and market access.
India has provided Vietnam with the missile corvette INS Kirpan and 12 high-speed guard boats under a $100 million line of credit.
The two sides will observe 2027 as the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship to mark 55 years of diplomatic ties.
- Who
- India, represented by External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Vietnam, represented by Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung.
- What
- The countries agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, including co-production of Indian defence equipment, while expanding cooperation in several other sectors.
- When
- The agreement was announced after talks on Monday; the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship will be observed next year, marking 55 years of diplomatic ties.
- Where
- The talks took place in the context of the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting; the article does not specify the meeting venue.
- Why
- The countries described each other as strategic partners and discussed closer cooperation amid regional and global developments, including China’s assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific.
- Meeting
- 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting
- Defence cooperation
- The countries agreed to pursue deeper security cooperation and co-production of Indian defence equipment.
- Indian defence support
- India gifted Vietnam the indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan in July 2023.
- Guard boats
- Twelve high-speed guard boats were handed over to Vietnam in June 2022 under a $100 million Indian line of credit.
- Additional credit lines
- Two further lines of credit, worth $120 million and $180 million, were signed in July 2024 and are being undertaken.
- Diplomatic anniversary
- The countries will observe the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship to mark 55 years of diplomatic ties.
- Strategic framework
- India and Vietnam have an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.