India and Vietnam agreed to further deepen defence and security cooperation, including co-production of Indian defence equipment, during the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM).
India Vietnam relation
- Vietnam–India relations upgraded from partnership (2003) to strategic partnership (2007) and a comprehensive strategic partnership (2016).
- Earlier this year, both countries elevated their bilateral ties with an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Significance of India Vietnam relation
- Represent emerging middle-power diplomacy: Both countries seek strategic autonomy, diversified partnerships and reduced dependence on any single major power, without entering formal alliances.
- Act East Policy: Vietnam is a core partner of India in ASEAN and a critical partner in India's Act East policy, Vision MAHASAGAR and the Indo-Pacific vision.
- Growing Military ties: India has gifted INS Kirpan, supplied high-speed patrol boats and signed a deal with Vietnam to export the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems for coastal defence.
- Countering China: Both support freedom of navigation and a rules-based order in the South China Sea in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS.
- Geostrategic location: Vietnam's position in the Indo-Pacific is crucial for maintaining secure and stable trade routes.
