National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held separate discussions with Vietnam’s senior defence and security leadership in Hanoi on 2 November 2026, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation under the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Doval first met Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, to review the status of bilateral defence cooperation. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said that the two sides agreed to continue strengthening activities in the defence domain.
“Both sides reviewed the status of ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to continue further strengthening activities in this field,” the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said.
The NSA also held delegation-level talks with Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang. According to the Indian Embassy, the discussions covered ongoing cooperation in the security domain as well as regional and global developments.
“Bilateral security cooperation reflects the deep and mutually trusted civilisational partnership between India and Vietnam,” the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said.
Security cooperation under the upgraded partnership
The embassy said that Doval and General Luong Tam Quang agreed to further enhance existing multifaceted ties. The discussions with Vietnam’s public security leadership add an internal-security dimension to the defence engagement reviewed with General Phan Van Giang.
- Defence engagement: Doval and General Phan Van Giang reviewed ongoing bilateral defence cooperation.
- Security cooperation: India and Vietnam agreed to enhance existing cooperation in the security domain.
- Strategic dialogue: The two sides exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Doval arrived in Vietnam on Sunday for an official visit focused on engagement with the country’s leadership. His meetings come after India and Vietnam elevated their relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Vietnamese President To Lam’s visit to India in May 2026.
During that visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President To Lam held discussions on bilateral relations and regional and global developments of mutual interest. The two leaders also welcomed the implementation of the Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030, which provides the framework for expanding defence cooperation.
The latest meetings therefore bring security and defence cooperation under the upgraded partnership into direct review by India’s national security establishment and Vietnam’s defence and public security leadership. The Indian Embassy said the discussions were aimed at further strengthening the multifaceted relationship between the two countries.
