India, Vietnam chart defence partnership with joint military production

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vietnamese counterpart Le Hoai Trung concluded the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi on Monday with a commitment to elevate bilateral defence cooperation through joint production initiatives. The talks, focused on trade, economic, scientific and technological collaboration, yielded concrete agreements to advance the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

During the high-level discussions, both ministers identified specific pathways to deepen defence and security collaboration, with co-production of Indian defence equipment emerging as a key priority. The two sides acknowledged the strategic importance of strengthening defence ties amid evolving regional security dynamics and expressed determination to translate bilateral goodwill into concrete military cooperation.

Beyond defence, India and Vietnam agreed to fortify economic ties by constructing robust supply chains and expanding market access. The ministers also identified new areas for collaboration, including expanding air connectivity between the two nations, advancing nuclear energy partnerships, and broadening space cooperation. These initiatives reflect the comprehensive nature of the India-Vietnam relationship, which extends across security, economic, and technological domains.

The Ministry of External Affairs described the 19th Joint Commission Meeting as productive and outcome-oriented, noting that the two ministers conducted a thorough review of bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The outcomes underscore New Delhi and Hanoi's shared commitment to strengthening ties as the two nations navigate regional challenges and pursue mutual development objectives.