14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue

August 5, 2024

The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue was held in New Delhi, showing the commitment to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries, especially with growing security concerns in the region. The meeting was led by India’s Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. This dialogue builds on the ‘Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030’ signed in June 2022, which serves as a framework for ongoing collaboration.

Proposed Areas for Cooperation

Delegation Exchanges and Dialogue: Regular meetings and exchanges between defence officials.

Staff Talks: Discussions between military staff for better coordination.
Service-to-Service Cooperation: Collaboration between different branches of the armed forces.
Education and Training: Sharing knowledge and training programmes.
Defence Industry Cooperation: Working together in defence technology and production.

Emerging Focus Areas by India

India suggested focusing on new defence areas:

Cyber Security: Protecting against online threats.
Information Security: Safeguarding sensitive information.
Military Medicine: Medical support and advancements for military personnel.
Submarine Search and Rescue: Techniques and technology for submarine emergencies.

The discussions led to a Letter of Intent aimed at enhancing training exchanges to improve the preparedness and operational capabilities of both countries.

Importance of Defence Cooperation

Defence collaboration is a key part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. Vietnam is an important player in India’s Act East Policy and is strategically important in the Indo-Pacific Region. The 14th Defence Policy Dialogue is a crucial step in strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on modern security challenges and enhancing military capabilities to ensure both nations are well-prepared for future challenges.

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