Rajnath Singh, Vietnam Defence Minister Expand Strategic Ties, Sign AI And Quantum MoU

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang held bilateral talks in Hanoi on Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with a focus on defence cooperation, maritime security, and emerging technologies.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the full range of defence ties and expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in engagement. They agreed to further deepen cooperation in key areas including maritime security, defence industry collaboration, military training, cyber security, capacity building, UN peacekeeping, and high-level exchanges . The two ministers also emphasised the importance of regular dialogues, joint exercises, and exchange programmes between their armed forces.

Reaffirming their shared strategic outlook, both leaders stressed the need to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region , underlining convergence on key regional and global security issues.

A major outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technology between India’s Military College of Telecommunications Engineering and Vietnam’s Telecommunications University. The agreement is aimed at enhancing cooperation in advanced and emerging technologies with defence applications.

In a significant capacity-building initiative, both ministers virtually inaugurated a Language Lab at the Air Force Officers’ College in Vietnam , set up with Indian assistance. The facility is expected to strengthen training and communication capabilities in defence education.

Rajnath Singh also announced the setting up of an Artificial Intelligence Lab at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang , marking another step in India’s support for Vietnam’s defence modernisation and technological development .

Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening defence industrial cooperation and supporting Vietnam’s efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities. India reaffirmed its continued assistance under bilateral frameworks for capacity building and training.

After the talks, Singh called on Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, conveying greetings from the Indian leadership. The two sides discussed wider cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, maritime connectivity, digital transformation, and people-to-people exchanges .

They also highlighted the importance of shared civilisational links, mutual trust, and long-standing friendship as the foundation of bilateral ties. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum in the partnership and agreed to further expand cooperation in the coming years.

Earlier, Singh paid homage to Vietnam’s founding leader Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum on his birth anniversary, recalling his legacy and his role in strengthening India–Vietnam friendship.

The visit reflects the deepening strategic convergence between India and Vietnam, particularly in defence cooperation and emerging technologies , as both countries work towards ensuring a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.