**Executive Summary**
On May 19, 2026, India’s Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Deputy PM and Defence Minister in Hanoi to strengthen the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The meeting focused on deepening cooperation in maritime security, defense industry, and regional stability within the Indo-Pacific. Key outcomes included the inauguration of a Language Lab and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technology.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic and Regional Security**
* Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
* Agreement was reached to enhance defense cooperation through regular dialogues, joint exercises, and exchange programs.
* The ministers discussed expanding collaboration in cyber security, United Nations peacekeeping, and maritime security.
**Technological and Educational Initiatives**
* A Language Lab, established with Indian assistance, was virtually inaugurated at the Air Force Officers’ College in Vietnam.
* An MoU was signed between India’s Military College of Telecommunications Engineering and Vietnam’s Tele Communications University to collaborate on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Technology.
* India announced the upcoming establishment of an AI Lab at the Tele Communications University in Nha Trang.
**Defense Industry and Modernization**
* India reiterated its commitment to supporting Vietnam’s defense modernization and capacity enhancement initiatives.
* The countries reviewed the growing defense partnership and identified the defense industry as a key pillar for future engagement.
**Diplomatic and Bilateral Engagement**
* High-level talks were held with Vietnam’s President Mr. To Lam, covering diverse sectors including trade, investment, connectivity, and digital transformation.
* The visit included a commemorative homage to former President Ho Chi Minh on his 136th birth anniversary.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian and Vietnamese Defence Forces**
**Impact**
The forces will see increased interoperability and professional development through planned joint exercises and training exchange programs.
**Action Required**
Military leadership must coordinate to schedule regular dialogues and execute the agreed-upon joint training exercises.
**Educational and Technical Institutions**
**Impact**
Institutions such as the Tele Communications University and Air Force Officers’ College will benefit from upgraded infrastructure and specialized training in AI and Quantum Technology.
**Action Required**
Designated technical colleges must begin implementing the MoU provisions and facilitate the physical setup of the newly announced AI Lab.
**Government and Policy Makers**
**Impact**
The bilateral relationship is elevated through the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aligning both nations' strategic interests in regional security and digital transformation.
**Action Required**
Government departments must continue high-level exchanges to monitor progress in trade, investment, and maritime cooperation agreements.
Key Entities Referenced
India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: The overarching bilateral framework governing cooperation in defense modernization, maritime security, and technological exchange between the two nations.
Shri Rajnath Singh: The Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) of India who led the high-level bilateral meetings and announced several defense and technology initiatives.
General Phan Van Giang: Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence who co-chaired talks to deepen regional stability and defense industry collaboration.
MoU on AI & Quantum Technology: A bilateral agreement signed between telecom engineering institutions of India and Vietnam to cooperate on emerging advanced technologies.
Indo-Pacific region: The central geographic focus for the bilateral commitment to maritime security, peace, and freedom of navigation.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Vietnam’s
Deputy PM & Defence Minister General Phan Van
Giang hold bilateral talks in Hanoi
Reaffirm commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security,
safety & freedom of navigation in Indo-Pacific region
Both Ministers virtually inaugurate Language Lab at Air Force
Officers’ College, Vietnam
India & Vietnam ink MoU in the field of AI & Quantum
Technology
RM announces setting-up of AI Lab at Tele Communications
University at Nha Trang
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 12:38PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang in Hanoi on May 19, 2026. Both Ministers
reviewed the growing defence partnership between the two countries and discussed ways to further deepen
cooperation in maritime security, defence industry, training & regional stability.The two sides exchanged views on regional and global security developments of mutual interest and
emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in
the Indo-Pacific region. They discussed avenues to expand cooperation in areas including military
training, defence industry collaboration, maritime security, capacity building, United Nations
peacekeeping, cyber security and high-level exchanges. They also agreed to enhance cooperation between
the defence forces of the two countries through regular dialogues, joint exercises and exchange
programmes.
Raksha Mantri reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening India’s Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership with Vietnam. He reiterated India’s resolve in supporting Vietnam’s defence modernisation
and capacity enhancement initiatives under the framework of bilateral defence cooperation.
Có cuộc gặp song phương hiệu quả với Đại tướng Phan Văn Giang, Bộ trưởng
Quốc phòng Việt Nam. Hai bên đã xem xét mối quan hệ đối tác quốc phòng ngày
càng phát triển giữa Ấn Độ và Việt Nam và thảo luận các cách thức để tăng
cường hơn nữa hợp tác trong… pic.twitter.com/byFhvHMJ2D
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 19, 2026
General Phan Van Giang appreciated India’s continued support and underscored the long-standing
friendship and growing strategic partnership between the two nations.The two Defence Ministers virtually inaugurated Language Lab at Air Force Officers’ College, Vietnam.
This lab has been established with Indian Assistance. Raksha Mantri also announced setting-up of
Artificial Intelligence Lab at Tele Communications University at Nha Trang.
Military College of Telecommunications Engineering, India and Tele Communications University,
Vietnam also exchanged an MoU in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technology, marking
another important chapter in the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
After the bilateral meeting, Raksha Mantri called the General Secretary and President of Vietnam Mr To
Lam. He conveyed warm greetings from the President & Prime Minister of India and reiterated India’s
commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors, including defence and
security, trade and investment, maritime cooperation, connectivity, digital transformation and people-to-
people exchanges.
The two leaders reaffirmed the strong and enduring friendship between India and Vietnam, rooted in
shared civilisational links, mutual trust and common strategic interests. They expressed satisfaction at the
continued growth of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.Warmly recalling his visit to India, the President of Vietnam appreciated the growing bilateral engagement
and acknowledged India’s role as a key partner in Vietnam’s development and strategic priorities. He
welcomed the expanding defence cooperation as key pillar of Enhanced Comprehensive Partnership
between the two countries and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to strengthen in the
years ahead.
Shri Rajnath Singh began the day’s engagements by paying homage to the founding father of Vietnam,
former President Ho Chi Minh, at the Mausoleum on his 136th birth anniversary. “His vision, leadership
and enduring commitment to national liberation and global solidarity continue to inspire generations. He
also laid foundation od strong India-Vietnam friendship which remains rooted in shared values and mutual
respect,” he said in a post on X.
Đến viếng Lăng Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh, vị lãnh tụ khai sinh ra nước Việt Nam,
nhân kỷ niệm 136 năm ngày sinh của Người.
Tầm nhìn, sự lãnh đạo và cam kết bền bỉ của Người với sự nghiệp giải phóng
dân tộc và sự đoàn kết trên toàn thế giới tiếp tục… https://t.co/nhlYo2IVCN
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 19, 2026India and Vietnam share a strong bond rooted in mutual trust, shared values and close cooperation in
defence, security and regional stability.
*****
VK/Savvy
(Release ID: 2262682) Visitor Counter : 728
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Marathi , Gujarati , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam