19 May,2026 09:13 AM IST | Hanoi | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/X
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid homage to Vietnam's founding leader Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi on the occasion of his 136th birth anniversary.
Singh is currently on a two-day official visit to Vietnam as India and Vietnam mark a decade of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit is aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and expanding strategic engagement between the two countries.
Sharing details of the visit on X, Singh said he paid respects to Ho Chi Minh and praised his contribution to Vietnam's national liberation movement and global solidarity.
"His vision, leadership and enduring commitment to national liberation and global solidarity continue to inspire generations. India-Vietnam friendship remains rooted in shared values and mutual respect," Singh said in his post.
The visit comes shortly after Vietnamese President To Lam visited India earlier this month, during which bilateral ties were upgraded to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Singh arrived in Hanoi on Monday and is expected to hold discussions focused on defence collaboration, maritime security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ahead of the visit, the Defence Minister said his engagements in Vietnam and South Korea would focus on strengthening military cooperation and defence industrial partnerships.
"I will focus on deepening strategic military cooperation, strengthening defence industrial partnerships, and boosting maritime collaboration, promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," Singh wrote on X before departing for the tour.
India and Vietnam have steadily expanded defence cooperation in recent years through joint exercises, training programmes, naval exchanges and defence equipment partnerships.
During his interaction with the Indian community in Hanoi on Monday, Singh said Operation Sindoor reflected India's emergence as a confident and capable nation prepared to protect its interests.
He said India remains committed to its no first use nuclear doctrine but would respond firmly to any threat or provocation.
"While India remains committed to the no first use policy, it will not succumb to nuclear blackmail and stands ready to respond firmly to any enemy misadventure," Singh said.
The Defence Minister also spoke about India's growing technological and industrial capabilities, particularly in the semiconductor sector. He described the sector's expansion as part of the country's broader economic and strategic transformation.
After concluding his Vietnam visit, Singh will travel to South Korea from May 19 to 21 for a series of bilateral meetings.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Singh will hold talks with South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back to review ongoing defence cooperation and explore new areas of engagement.
The two sides are also expected to discuss regional and global developments of mutual interest.
During the visit, Singh will additionally meet Lee Yong-cheol and chair the India-Korea business roundtable aimed at strengthening industrial and economic partnerships between the two countries.
The multi-nation visit comes as India seeks to deepen strategic ties with key Indo-Pacific partners amid evolving geopolitical and security challenges in the region.
(With inputs from IANS)
