Ajit Doval, Vietnam leaders agree to deepen security and defence ties

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held separate high-level talks with key Vietnamese ministers in Hanoi. The engagements signal broader strategic coordination under the upgraded India-Vietnam partnership.

In Short

• Officials also exchanged views on key regional and global developments
• Both nations plan to mark 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2027
• Leaders reviewed ongoing military engagement and pledged stronger joint activities

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held separate high-level talks with Vietnam’s ministers of public security and foreign affairs on Monday, with both sides agreeing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in security and other areas, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The meetings were part of Doval’s official visit to Vietnam and were in line with the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Doval held delegation-level talks with Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang, on ongoing security cooperation. The discussions reflected the “deep and mutually trusted civilisational partnership between India and Vietnam”, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said in a post on X.

“Both sides discussed ongoing cooperation in the security domain and agreed to further enhance the existing multifaceted ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments,” the embassy said, according to PTI.

In a separate meeting with Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs Minister Le Hoai Trung, Doval discussed ways to commemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027. “Both sides discussed ways to commemorate this historic milestone in the spirit of India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the embassy said.

Doval also met Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang. They reviewed ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to further deepen engagement in the sector. “Both sides reviewed the status of ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to continue further strengthening activities in this field,” the embassy said.

During his visit, Doval went to the historic Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, where he was received by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice-President and Chief Abbot of the pagoda, and Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice-President and Secretary-General of the National Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha. The embassy described Buddhism as a “civilisational bridge” between the people of India and Vietnam.

Doval arrived in Vietnam on Sunday. During Vietnamese President To Lam’s visit to India in May, the two countries elevated their ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership and set an annual trade target of USD 25 billion by 2030. His meetings in Vietnam focused on strengthening security, defence, diplomatic and wider bilateral cooperation under the upgraded partnership.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends