Hanoi, 19 May (H.S.):

On the first day of his visit to Vietnam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks in Hanoi with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang. Mr Singh reiterated India’s commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation in the Indo‑Pacific. The two ministers jointly inaugurated a ‘language laboratory’ at the Vietnam Air Force Officers’ College via video link. India and Vietnam also concluded an agreement on cooperation in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. The Defence Minister announced the establishment of an AI laboratory at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang.

Defence Minister Singh is on an official visit to Vietnam from 18–19 May, followed by a visit to South Korea from 19–21 May. During the bilateral meeting in Hanoi on Tuesday, the two ministers reviewed the growing defence partnership between their countries and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in maritime security, defence industry collaboration, training, and regional stability. They exchanged views on regional and global security developments of mutual interest.

Discussions covered expanding cooperation across several areas, including military training, defence industry partnerships, maritime security, capacity building, UN peacekeeping, cyber security, and high‑level exchanges. Both sides agreed to strengthen ties between their armed forces through regular dialogues, joint exercises, and exchange programmes. The ministers underlined the importance of preserving peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation in the Indo‑Pacific region.

Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s resolve to further strengthen the India–Vietnam “Expanded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and to support Vietnam’s defence modernization and capability‑enhancement initiatives.

General Phan Van Giang expressed appreciation for India’s continued support and highlighted the longstanding friendship and the increasingly strategic partnership between the two countries. The ministers inaugurated the language lab at the Vietnam Air Force Officers’ College virtually; the facility has been established with India’s assistance.

Rajnath Singh also announced the setting up of an ‘Artificial Intelligence Lab’ at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang. The Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, India, and the Telecommunications University, Vietnam, signed an agreement on artificial intelligence and quantum technology cooperation — a significant new chapter in the countries’ deepening comprehensive strategic partnership.

After the bilateral meeting, the Defence Minister held talks with Vietnam’s Party Secretary and President, Mr To Lam. Mr Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation across defence and security, trade and investment, maritime cooperation, connectivity, digital transformation, and people‑to‑people ties. Both leaders reasserted the strong and enduring friendship between India and Vietnam and expressed satisfaction at the steady expansion of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Reflecting warmly on India’s visit, the Vietnamese President conveyed confidence that bilateral relations will strengthen further in the years ahead.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar