Welcoming Singh at the headquarters of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam recalled his successful visit to India in early May 2026 during which the two countries agreed to elevate bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The visit reflected both countries’ determination to implement high-level agreements and further strengthen bilateral relations, he told his guest.

The Vietnamese leader once again thanked the Indian leadership and people for the warm reception during the visit, describing the trip as an important milestone that helped open a new phase in bilateral ties based on “shared vision, strategic convergence and substantive cooperation.”

Vietnam highly values India’s role and contributions to peace, stability and development in the region, he affirmed adding that Vietnam considers India one of its leading strategic partners.

He also voiced support for India playing a greater role in regional and global affairs and said Vietnam stands ready to participate in and support India’s international initiatives aimed at promoting peace, stability and respect for international law.

According to the leader, Vietnam and India share a long-standing friendship and high level of political trust. The recent elevation of ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will create new opportunities for deeper cooperation across multiple sectors.

He called on both sides to increase high-level exchanges, promote trade and investment cooperation, expand collaboration in science and technology, and strengthen connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.

The Vietnamese leader also praised the outcomes of talks between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, as well as the practical results achieved in defence cooperation in recent years. He urged both sides to effectively implement signed agreements and continue deepening practical defence cooperation.

For his part, Singh said he was honoured to visit Vietnam during celebrations marking the 136th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, expressing admiration for the late Vietnamese leader.

The Indian minister noted that the visit came immediately after the Vietnamese leader’s state visit to India, demonstrating New Delhi’s strong commitment to implementing high-level agreements and advancing bilateral relations.

According to Singh, Indian leaders, media and public opinion were highly impressed by the outcomes of the leader’s visit, which he described as opening a new chapter of strategic and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam remains one of the most important partners in India’s “Act East” and broader regional engagement strategy, he told his host.

He praised Vietnam’s increasingly important role in regional cooperation and said India would continue promoting defence cooperation with Vietnam, including training programmes and capacity building initiatives.

The Indian minister also pledged continued coordination in implementing ongoing defence cooperation projects under existing credit and support packages, while considering additional support based on the needs and capabilities of both sides.

In addition to defence ties, Singh said India would work closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to further strengthen cooperation in science and technology, as well as air and maritime connectivity.

Both sides stressed that Vietnam and India share common perspectives on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain exchanges and dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, including consultations between their defence ministries.

They also pledged to enhance information sharing and coordination at regional and multilateral forums, particularly ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).

Vietnam and India strengthen defence cooperation during Hanoi talks

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang held talks with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Hanoi on May 19, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deepening bilateral defence cooperation.