What happened:
On November 11, 2025, India and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in Hanoi to establish a framework for submarine search, rescue, and support in case of maritime emergencies. The agreement was finalized during the 15th edition of the India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD), co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lt Gen Hoang Xuan Chien. In addition, both sides inked a Letter of Intent (LoI) to enhance cooperation in defence industry development, including technology transfer, joint research, and production ventures.
Why it matters to India:
The agreements mark a significant step in strengthening India’s strategic partnership with Vietnam, particularly in maritime security and defence technology. They deepen cooperation in areas such as cyber security, AI, and shipyard upgradation—key to India’s Indo-Pacific vision and its Act East Policy. The initiative also enhances regional stability by fostering defence resilience and interoperability between the two nations in the face of evolving security challenges in the South China Sea.