India and Vietnam today signed the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' which will significantly enhance the scope and scale of existing defence cooperation between the two countries. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is currently visiting Hanoi at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang highlighted on Wednesday that both countries share a rich history of civilisational and cultural linkages spanning over 2,000 years.

The focus was on effective and practical initiatives to further expand bilateral defence engagements as Singh held wide-ranging discussions with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Phan Van Giang in Hanoi today. 

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh visits the Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence in Hanoi. He held bilateral discussions with his Vietnamese Counterpart, General Phan Van Giang. @AmbHanoi pic.twitter.com/qSOVlZ4cNp

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) June 8, 2022

India and Vietnam have shared a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Logistics Support was also inked in the presence of both defence ministers which is a major step towards simplifying procedures for mutually beneficial logistic support and is the first such major agreement which Vietnam has signed with any country.

Both ministers also agreed for early finalisation of $US 500 million Defence Line of Credit extended to Vietnam. Implementation of the projects shall add substantially to Vietnam’s Defence capabilities and further Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.

Singh announced the gifting of two simulators and monetary grant towards setting up of Language and IT Lab at Air Force Officers Training School for capacity building of Vietnamese Armed Forces.

The visit to Vietnam by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is the highlight of celebrations for the 50 Anniversary of Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India. pic.twitter.com/i3zk2nXJE9

— SanhChau Pham (@SanhChauPham) June 8, 2022

The two sides assessed that the political and security environment in the world and in the region continues to be complicated, with traditional and non-traditional security challenges intertwined.

They were also of the view that the Asia-Pacific region still has many potential risks and instability.

Vietnam's Defence ministry said that both countries continue to have most trustworthy relations in contemporary times with broader convergence of interests and common concerns. Bilateral defence engagements have expanded over a period of time to include wide-ranging contacts between the two countries, including Defence Policy Dialogues, military to military exchanges, high level visits, capacity building and training programs, cooperation in UN Peacekeeping, ship visits and bilateral exercises.

Phan Van Giang highly appreciated and thanked India for its support and assistance, especially in the field of training to improve human resources and implementing credit and aid packages.

Later in the day, the Indian Defence Minister called on Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During his talks with Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Singh described Vietnam as an important pillar of India's 'Act East Policy 'and a key partner in its Indo-Pacific vision. He appraised him on initiatives to further strengthen our bilateral defence relations.

In a move reflecting the two countries' growing friendship, Nguyen Xuan Phuc broke protocol and came out to see off Singh.

The Indian Defence Minister started his Vietnam visit by paying respects to the country's late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum in Hanoi. 

रक्षा मंत्री श्री @rajnathsingh आज हनोई में एक ऐसे पगोडा में पहुँचे जहां पर भारत के प्रथम राष्ट्रपति डा. राजेंद्र प्रसाद ने साठ साल पहले वियतनाम के प्रेसिडेंट हो ची मिन्ह के साथ एक बोधि वृक्ष लगाया था।

आज उसी वृक्ष के नीचे खड़े हो कर उन्होंने बौद्ध भिक्षुकों से बातचीत की। pic.twitter.com/C9Zt1kk7gU

— Rajnathsingh_in (@RajnathSingh_in) June 8, 2022

He also visited Tran Quoc Pagoda, a revered buddhist temple which reaffirmed the age-old civilizational and people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

Also Read: Wary of China, India and Vietnam agree to expand security and energy partnership in the Indo-Pacific