Indian Defence Minister Begins Official Visit to Vietnam

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is all set to embark on a three-day visit to Vietnam from June 8. Source: Indian embassy in Vietnam

Indian Defence Minister Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh arrived at Hanoi on June 7 afternoon to begin a three-day official visit from June 8-10.

He was welcomed at the airport by Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma and senior officers of Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence.

The Raksha Mantri will start his visit by paying respects to Late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum in Hanoi, according to press release of Indian Ministry of Defence.

Shri Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, during which both the ministers will review defence cooperation between the two countries and explore new initiatives to further strengthen the defence engagements. The two side will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

The Raksha Mantri is also scheduled to call on State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Senior officers of Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence welcome the.Indian Defence Minister. Source: Indian embassy in Vietnam

At the Hong Ha Shipyard in Hai Phong, the Raksha Mantri will preside over the handing over ceremony of 12 High Speed Guard Boats constructed under the Government of India’s US$100 million Defence Line of Credit to Vietnam.

This project is significant in the context of the growing defence industry cooperation with Vietnam and exemplifies Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India, ‘Make for the World’.

During the visit, Shri Rajnath Singh will also visit the training institutions of Vietnam at Nha Trang, including the Telecommunication University where an Army Software Park is being established with the US$5 million grant from Government of India.

Two-way trade expanded to over US$13 billion in 2021 from 200 million USD in 2000, turning India into the 8th biggest trade partner of Vietnam, approaching the US$-15-billion target set by leaders of the two countries, reported VNA.

Regarding investment, as of March 20, India had 317 valid projects worth over US$1 billion in Vietnam, ranking 24th out of the 129 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation.

The investment ties between the two countries are likely to make new breakthroughs in the coming years, focusing on the sectors of seaports, energy, infrastructure, oil and gas, and IT.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Chief of General Staff, Vietnam People’s Army & Deputy Minister of National Defence Sr Lt Gen Phan Van Giang exchanging mementos during talks on defence cooperation between the two countries in New Delhi in November 25, 2019. Source: Ministry of Defence, Government of India

Defence and security cooperation has become an important pillar of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries with specific cooperation plans and programmes.

Traditional cooperation fields such as education-training and agriculture have witnessed substantive development, while the cultural and tourism cooperation, and people-to-people exchange have been also promoted effectively.

The Raksha Mantri’s visit on the historic occasion of 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations and 75 years of India’s Independence will further consolidate the bilateral defence cooperation and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

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