Vietnam supports India in strengthening defense cooperation with ASEAN

Speaking at the dialogue, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India has been increasingly consolidated and developed, especially since the two countries upgraded their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016. Defense cooperation continues to be one of the important pillars, achieving many substantial steps forward in the fields of politics - diplomacy, security, military technology and United Nations peacekeeping .

During the dialogue, the two sides discussed the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that Vietnam consistently adheres to its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; advocates resolving disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, based on international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS; and promotes the early completion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Việt Nam ủng hộ Ấn Độ tăng cường hợp tác quốc phòng với ASEAN

The 15th Vietnam - India Defense Policy Dialogue. (Photo: People's Army Newspaper)

The two sides assessed that, in recent times, bilateral defense cooperation has been actively and prominently implemented in the following areas: delegation exchanges and high-level contacts; dialogue and consultation mechanisms; young officer exchanges; training and coaching; military cooperation; participation in United Nations peacekeeping; and defense industry.

Regarding the future direction, Vietnam and India agreed to continue to increase delegation exchanges at all levels; maintain effective dialogue mechanisms; expand cooperation in training, peacekeeping and defense industry; promote the implementation of credit and aid packages; and study and expand cooperation in potential areas such as cyber security, military medicine, search and rescue, etc., in accordance with the conditions and needs of each side.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense supports India in strengthening defense cooperation with ASEAN, especially within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+); and hopes that the two sides will continue to coordinate closely at multilateral forums.

On this occasion, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien thanked the Indian Ministry of Defense for sending a delegation to attend the second Vietnam International Defense Exhibition and respectfully invited the Indian side to continue participating in the third Exhibition scheduled to be held at the end of 2026.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh signed the dialogue minutes. (Photo: People's Army Newspaper)

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh affirmed that Vietnam is a reliable partner of India, and defence cooperation is an important pillar in bilateral relations. He emphasized that the Vietnam-India United Nations Peacekeeping Exercise (VINBAX 2025), scheduled to be held from November 11-27, is a meaningful activity to promote professional cooperation and enhance mutual understanding.

At the end of the dialogue, the two heads of delegation signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing on the direction of defense cooperation in the coming time, contributing to strengthening the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to develop more deeply, effectively and substantially.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-ung-ho-an-do-tang-cuong-hop-tac-quoc-phong-voi-asean-217570.html