- MoU inked for Mutual Submarine Search, Rescue Support & Cooperation; Letter of Intent signed to strengthen defence industry collaboration
The 15th edition of India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD), co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sr Lt Gen Hoang Xuan Chien, was held in Hanoi on November 10, 2025. Both sides expressed satisfaction on progress made in the areas of hydrography cooperation, capacity building & training, UN Peacekeeping Operations, increased port calls and ship visits, and cooperation in niche domains viz. AI and shipyard upgradation, etc.
Both sides decided to expand and further deepen cooperation in important emerging areas like cyber security, real-time exchange of information, military medicine and exchange of experts, etc. They also exchanged views on the regional security situation.
On the sidelines, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed for Mutual Submarine Search, Rescue Support and Cooperation, establishing a framework for supporting and cooperating in submarine search and rescue operations.
Both sides also signed a Letter of Intent on strengthening defence industry cooperation to promote Transfer of Technology, prioritise high-tech and core-technology domains, joint cooperation in research, Joint Ventures, procurement of equipment and materials for defence production as well as exchange of experts, design, and production of equipment.
Under the ongoing Implementing Arrangement on defence industry cooperation between the Department of Defence Production, India and the General Department of Defence Industry, Vietnam, both sides decided to convene the meeting in December 2025.
Later, the Defence Secretary also called on Minister of National Defence of Vietnam Gen Phan Van Giang and briefed him about the key decisions emanating out of 15th DPD. The 16th DPD will be held in India in 2026.
The DPD serves as a primary mechanism to review and guide the India-Vietnam Defence Partnership and take forward the initiatives enshrined in the India-Vietnam Joint Vision Statement 2030. Bilateral defence cooperation is an important pillar of India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Vietnam holds a key position in India’s Act East Policy and is an important partner in India’s Indo-Pacific vision. The Defence Secretary’s visit to Vietnam has further strengthened cooperation in defence domains.
