15th India–Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue held in Hanoi

IN NEWS: 15th India–Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue held in Hanoi

Analysis (UPSC Relevance)

• Context:
  The 15th India–Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) was held on 10 November 2025 in Hanoi, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence (Vietnam).
• Key Highlights:
  1. Strengthening Bilateral Defence Cooperation:
     • Both sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and expressed satisfaction over progress in:
       • Hydrography cooperation
       • Capacity building and training programmes
       • UN Peacekeeping operations
       • Increased port calls and ship visits
       • Collaboration in AI, shipyard upgradation, and other niche domains.
  2. Emerging Areas of Cooperation:
     • Decision to expand engagement in:
       • Cyber security
       • Real-time information exchange
       • Military medicine
       • Exchange of experts and advanced technical cooperation.
  3. New Agreements Signed:
     • MoA on Mutual Submarine Search, Rescue Support and Cooperation
       • Establishes a framework for mutual assistance in submarine rescue operations.
     • Letter of Intent (LoI) on Defence Industry Collaboration
       • Focus on Transfer of Technology (ToT), joint ventures, and high-tech defence production.
       • Envisions cooperation in core technology, equipment design, and expert exchanges.
  4. Institutional Mechanism:
     • Under the Implementing Arrangement on Defence Industry Cooperation between India’s Department of Defence Production and Vietnam’s General Department of Defence Industry, the next review meeting is scheduled for December 2025.
  5. High-Level Engagements:
     • Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh also called on General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence (Vietnam), to brief him on DPD outcomes.
     • The 16th Defence Policy Dialogue will be held in India in 2026.
  6. Strategic Context:
     • The DPD is the primary institutional mechanism to monitor and guide the India–Vietnam Defence Partnership, aligned with the India–Vietnam Joint Vision Statement 2030.
     • Strengthens the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
  7. Broader Strategic Significance:
     • Vietnam is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
     • Cooperation with Vietnam enhances regional stability, maritime security, and defence industry linkages in Southeast Asia.

Static & Conceptual Part

• India–Vietnam Defence Relations:
  • Originated in the 1990s and have grown steadily under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016).
  • Areas of cooperation:
    • Maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
    • Training of Vietnamese personnel in Indian military institutions.
    • Hydrographic cooperation, joint exercises, and ship visits.
  • The Joint Vision Statement 2030 provides a roadmap for strengthening bilateral defence ties.
• Act East Policy (AEP):
  • Launched in 2014, it aims to enhance India’s engagement with ASEAN and East Asian nations.
  • Focus areas: Connectivity, defence cooperation, trade, and cultural exchanges.
  • Vietnam is one of the most critical partners under this framework.
• Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD):
  • Institutionalized mechanism for strategic defence discussions between India and Vietnam.
  • Conducted annually, alternately in New Delhi and Hanoi.

Updated – 10 Nov 2025 ; 7:49 PM | PIBNews Source