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India and Vietnam have agreed to significantly expand their defence and security cooperation, including plans for joint production of Indian military equipment, as both countries seek to deepen strategic ties and promote regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The decision was discussed during the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung. The two sides also reviewed opportunities to increase trade, improve supply chains and expand cooperation in technology, space and nuclear energy.
Joint Production of Indian Defence Equipment
According to the official statement on the meeting, India and Vietnam identified joint production of Indian defence items as an important area for expanding their existing defence collaboration. The proposal could provide Vietnam with greater access to Indian military technology while creating opportunities for Indian defence manufacturers to establish stronger partnerships in Southeast Asia.
The discussions did not publicly specify the exact military platforms or equipment that would be manufactured jointly. However, the announcement reflects India’s growing focus on defence exports, technology sharing and industrial partnerships under its broader policy of strengthening indigenous defence production.
For Vietnam, cooperation with India offers another avenue for military modernisation and diversification of defence partnerships. For India, Vietnam is an important partner in Southeast Asia and a significant component of its Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy.
Maritime Security and Indo-Pacific Cooperation
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh separately met Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, on September 13 on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The discussions focused on accelerating joint initiatives, technology sharing and defence industrial cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime and defence ties to support a peaceful, stable and rules-based regional security environment.
India and Vietnam also emphasised closer coordination through ASEAN-led security mechanisms, including the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, or ADMM-Plus. The two countries agreed that such platforms are important for addressing complex security challenges and building collective security arrangements in the Indo-Pacific.
BrahMos and Earlier Defence Cooperation
India and Vietnam have steadily expanded military cooperation over the past several years. Their partnership includes defence dialogues, military exchanges, training programmes, ship visits, exercises and cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
In June 2022, Vietnam received 12 high-speed guard boats built by Indian manufacturer Larsen & Toubro under a $100 million Indian line of credit. In July 2023, India gifted the indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam after decommissioning the vessel from the Indian Navy.
India has also confirmed that it signed an agreement with Vietnam for the supply of BrahMos missiles in 2026. The missile deal has been viewed as an important development in bilateral defence relations, particularly because of Vietnam’s interest in strengthening its maritime security capabilities.
Trade, Supply Chains and Technology Cooperation
The India-Vietnam discussions extended beyond defence. Both countries agreed to work towards expanding bilateral trade, investments and mutually beneficial supply chains.
New Delhi also raised opportunities for greater market access for Indian marine and agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and other goods. Cooperation in financial connectivity, ports and air connectivity was also discussed.
The two sides identified nuclear energy and space cooperation as additional areas with potential for long-term partnership. These sectors could support technological collaboration and strengthen economic links between the two countries.
The growing emphasis on supply chains is particularly significant as India and Vietnam seek to increase their role in regional manufacturing and reduce vulnerabilities caused by disruptions in global trade.
Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
India and Vietnam upgraded their relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Vietnamese leader To Lam’s visit to India in May 2026. The two countries have described each other as important partners in regional security, economic cooperation and multilateral diplomacy.
Jaishankar said Vietnam remains a key partner in India’s Act East Policy and its wider vision for the Indo-Pacific. Vietnam is also the first country in the region with which India has established this enhanced level of bilateral partnership.
The relationship is supported by civilisational links, growing economic exchanges and shared interests in maintaining freedom of navigation, maritime security and a rules-based regional order.
Regional Strategic Significance
India and Vietnam’s closer defence cooperation comes amid increasing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. Both countries have interests in maintaining stability in the South China Sea and protecting maritime trade routes.
While neither government has described the new initiatives as directed against any particular country, stronger defence industrial and maritime cooperation reflects their shared interest in improving regional security capabilities.
Joint production could also help India expand its defence manufacturing ecosystem and increase the international use of Indian-developed military equipment. For Vietnam, partnerships with multiple countries can provide additional options for acquiring equipment, training and technology.
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Next Steps in Defence Dialogue
India and Vietnam agreed to continue institutionalised defence engagement. The next Defence Policy Dialogue is scheduled to be hosted by India on the sidelines of Aero India 2027.
The two countries also agreed to mark 2027 as the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship, commemorating 55 years of diplomatic relations.
The latest decisions indicate that defence cooperation is becoming an increasingly important pillar of India-Vietnam relations. The success of joint production plans will depend on future agreements covering technology transfer, financing, manufacturing responsibilities and the specific equipment to be developed.
For now, the agreement marks another step in the expansion of India’s defence partnerships in Southeast Asia and Vietnam’s efforts to strengthen its military and strategic capabilities through closer cooperation with India.
