**Executive Summary**
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is conducting an official visit to Vietnam (May 18–19, 2026) and South Korea (May 19–21, 2026) to expand bilateral engagements and strategic military cooperation. The visit focuses on strengthening defence industrial partnerships and maritime collaboration to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Key scheduled events include bilateral talks with national defence ministers and the inauguration of the Indian War Memorial in South Korea on May 21, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Engagement with Vietnam (May 18–19, 2026)**
* **Partnership Milestone:** The visit marks 10 years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was recently upgraded to an "Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in early May 2026.
* **High-Level Talks:** Bilateral discussions will be held with Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang.
* **Strategic Framework:** The visit builds upon the "Joint Vision Statement of India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030" signed in 2022.
* **Commemorative Activities:** The Minister will pay tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on May 19, coinciding with the 136th birth anniversary of the former President of Vietnam.
**Engagement with South Korea (May 19–21, 2026)**
* **Bilateral Review:** Talks with the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Ahn Gyu-back, will focus on reviewing existing cooperation and exploring new initiatives.
* **Defence Acquisition:** A meeting is scheduled with the Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Mr. Lee Yong-cheol.
* **Economic Cooperation:** The Raksha Mantri will chair an India-Korea business roundtable to bolster industrial partnerships.
* **Historical Recognition:** A joint inauguration of the Indian War Memorial is scheduled for May 21, 2026, to honor India’s contributions during the Korean War.
**Strategic and Regional Objectives**
* **Policy Alignment:** The visit seeks to align India’s ‘Act East Policy’ with South Korea’s ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy.’
* **Indo-Pacific Stability:** A primary focus is boosting maritime collaboration and promoting peace within the Indo-Pacific region.
* **Military-Industrial Focus:** Efforts will be directed toward deepening strategic military cooperation and strengthening defence industrial ties.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Defence (India) and Foreign Counterparts**
**Impact**
The visit facilitates high-level diplomatic alignment and provides a platform to review and expand long-term defence strategies, such as the 2030 Joint Vision Statement with Vietnam.
**Action Required**
Lead bilateral talks, review current cooperation frameworks, and establish new initiatives for regional security.
**Stakeholder: Defence Industry and Private Sector**
**Impact**
The India-Korea business roundtable and focus on industrial partnerships create opportunities for increased investment and collaborative defence manufacturing.
**Action Required**
Industry leaders should engage in the business roundtable to explore new partnerships and acquisition programs.
**Stakeholder: Veterans and Military Historians**
**Impact**
The inauguration of the Indian War Memorial acknowledges India’s historical humanitarian and peacekeeping roles, specifically the work of the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance and the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission.
**Action Required**
The Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (South Korea) and Indian representatives must coordinate the joint inauguration on May 21, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Rajnath Singh: The Raksha Mantri (Minister of Defence) of India, leading the official diplomatic visit to bolster strategic military cooperation and industrial partnerships.
Joint Vision Statement of India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030: A signed bilateral document that enunciates a defined way ahead for defence cooperation between India and Vietnam.
Act East Policy: India's strategic foreign policy initiative aimed at strengthening economic and security ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Indo-Pacific Strategy: The Republic of Korea's strategic framework for regional engagement, cited as being in natural alignment with India’s foreign policy.
Vietnam and South Korea: The central locations and nations defining the scope of the Raksha Mantri's official visit and bilateral engagement focus.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri to undertake an official visit to
Vietnam & South Korea
Focus on bolstering military cooperation, industrial
partnerships and maritime collaboration, promoting peace &
stability in Indo-Pacific region: Shri Rajnath Singh
Posted On: 18 MAY 2026 10:21AM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 18 to 19, 2026, followed
by Republic of Korea from May 19 to 21, 2026. In a post on X prior to his departure, Raksha Mantri
looked forward to visiting the two Asian nations to further expand the scope of bilateral engagement. The
focus will be on deepening strategic military cooperation, strengthening defence industrial partnerships,
and boosting maritime collaboration, promoting peace & stability in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.
Today, 18th May, I shall be reaching Hanoi. Looking forward to visiting Vietnam
and South Korea this week to further expand the scope of our engagement.
I will focus on deepening strategic military cooperation, strengthening defence
industrial partnerships, and boosting…
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 18, 2026
Raksha Mantri’s visit to Vietnam marks 10 years of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two
nations which was upgraded to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the state visit of the
President of Vietnam to India from May 05 to 07, 2026. Shri Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with
the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang during the visit.
A Joint Vision Statement of India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 was signed as part of
Raksha Mantri’s last visit from June 08 to 10, 2022. The vision statement clearly enunciates a defined way
ahead for bilateral defence cooperation. The two democracies have a common interest in peace and
prosperity of the region.
Shri Rajnath Singh’s visit also coincides with the 136th birth anniversary of former President of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh on May 19, 2026. Raksha Mantri will lay a wreath at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and pay
tribute as a mark of respect.
During his visit to South Korea, Shri Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with the Minister of National
Defence, Republic of Korea Mr Ahn Gyu-back. The Ministers will review defence cooperation between
the two countries and explore new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral engagements. They will also
exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.Raksha Mantri will also meet Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Mr Lee,
Yong-cheol and chair the India-Korea business roundtable.
India’s contribution in the Korean War is one the most profound chapters in history, defined by
unwavering commitment to global peace and stability. India’s decision to extend the support was meant to
add a healing touch to the war by deploying 60 Parachute Field Ambulance of the Indian Army. Serving
for more than three years, the unit treated over two lakh patients and performed about 2,500 surgeries, in
addition to treating a number of civilians. The second major contribution of India was the Chairmanship of
Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, an Indian proposal to the UN, which was accepted with
majority. Accordingly, Custodian Force of India, a 5,230 strong Indian Army contingent undertook
peaceful repatriation of almost 2,000 prisoners of war in the post-war phase.
To honour the fallen soldiers, a joint inauguration of the Indian War Memorial with Minister of Patriots
and Veterans Affairs Mr Kwon Oh-eul has been planned on May 21, 2026.
The Natural Alignment of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Republic of Korea’s ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy’ as
well as shared values in the Indo-Pacific Region, have opened a new chapter in the relations between the
two countries.
****
VK/Savvy
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