IAF Chief visits Vietnam to strengthen bilateral defence ties
Worth reading — 1 past UPSC question on this theme (Mains GS-2 2016).
2-minute summary
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force (IAF), initiated a three-day official visit to Vietnam on August 3, 2026, aimed at strengthening defence ties and expanding bilateral military cooperation. Upon arrival in Hanoi, he met India's Ambassador to Vietnam, Tshering W. Sherpa, for a briefing on the evolving relationship. He received a ceremonial welcome from the Air Defence–Air Force Service of the Vietnam People's Army before holding bilateral talks with Lieutenant-General Vu Hong Son, Commander of the Air Defence–Air Force Service. Discussions centered on evaluating ongoing defence initiatives and exploring new avenues of collaboration in the air domain. This visit reflects the shared commitment of both nations to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership amid strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific region. Notably, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh recently confirmed India's signing of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal with Vietnam, underlining growing strategic and military ties.
Why it's in the news
The Chief of the Indian Air Force undertook a three-day official visit to Vietnam to boost bilateral military cooperation and air domain engagements. The visit comes amidst growing strategic alignment between India and Vietnam, reinforced by the recent BrahMos supersonic cruise missile export agreement.
Background and context
India and Vietnam elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016. Defence cooperation forms a crucial pillar of this alliance, aligned with India's 'Act East' policy and 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Located along critical sea lanes in the South China Sea, Vietnam holds high strategic value for India's Indo-Pacific strategy. Bilateral engagements have progressively expanded across joint training, military-to-military exchanges, defence equipment modernization, capacity building, and maritime security exercises. India has extended multiple Defence Lines of Credit to Vietnam for procurement, including high-speed patrol boats. Additionally, India's recent deal to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam marks a pivotal transition towards defence export-driven diplomacy while aiding Vietnam's defence capabilities and regional deterrence.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 51(c) — Directive Principles of State Policy directing the State to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, guiding India's active foreign policy and strategic partnerships.
Government schemes
- Act East Policy — Key diplomatic policy focused on enhancing economic, strategic, and security cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, with Vietnam as an essential pillar.
International organisations
- ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) — Vietnam is a central member state of ASEAN, a regional block fundamental to India's Indo-Pacific security architecture and regional engagements.
Previous UPSC questions on this theme
- Mains GS-2 2016 — Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.
Mains practice: Examine the strategic importance of Vietnam in India's 'Act East' policy and Indo-Pacific architecture in light of expanding military and defence cooperation.
India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, anchored primarily by deep military and security collaboration. Vietnam serves as a vital pillar in India's 'Act East' policy and its broader Indo-Pacific vision.
• Strategic Alignment in the Indo-Pacific: Both nations share a common interest in maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. They advocate for adherence to international law, specifically UNCLOS, regarding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
• Service-to-Service Cooperation: High-level official visits, such as the IAF Chief's engagements with Vietnam's Air Defence–Air Force Service, help strengthen military interoperability, domain knowledge sharing, and specialized training programs.
• Defence Manufacturing and Exports: The agreement to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam underscores India's evolving stance as a strategic defence supplier, supporting deterrence while promoting 'Make in India'.
• Maritime Capacity Building: Through Defence Lines of Credit, India has supported Vietnam's procurement of defence assets, such as high-speed patrol vessels, strengthening Vietnam's maritime domain awareness.
Conclusion: Deepening defence ties between India and Vietnam reinforce multi-alignment without formal military bloc formation. Strengthening service-level cooperation and technology sharing will consolidate Vietnam as a vital partner for regional equilibrium.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to India-Vietnam bilateral relations, consider the following statements: 1. India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. India has signed an agreement to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. Both statements are correct. India and Vietnam elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, and India recently signed a deal to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam.
Q2. Which body of water is central to the geopolitical interests shared by India and Vietnam in the Indo-Pacific region?
- Persian Gulf
- Mediterranean Sea
- South China Sea
- Red Sea
Answer: C. Vietnam lies along the South China Sea, where both nations share common strategic interests regarding rules-based order and freedom of navigation.
Q3. What is the primary objective of India's 'SAGAR' vision in foreign policy?
- Promoting cross-border digital financial integration
- Developing agricultural corridors across South Asia
- Constructing high-speed rail corridors in ASEAN nations
- Enhancing maritime security and economic cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region
Answer: D. SAGAR stands for 'Security and Growth for All in the Region', focusing on maritime security, stability, and sustainable economic growth in the regional maritime domain.
Revision flashcards
- What level of diplomatic partnership do India and Vietnam share? Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (elevated in 2016).
- Which major supersonic cruise missile system export agreement was signed between India and Vietnam? BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
- Which overarching foreign policy initiative guides India's engagement with Southeast Asia? Act East Policy.
- Which constitutional directive in India provides guidance on international peace and security? Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
- What does the acronym SAGAR stand for in Indian maritime diplomacy? Security and Growth for All in the Region.