India and Vietnam are looking to deepen their security partnership, with Hanoi proposing an agreement on the exchange and protection of classified information and both countries discussing stronger real-time intelligence sharing. The proposals emerged during National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s high-level meetings with Vietnam’s defence and security leadership in Hanoi on November 2, 2026.
Doval met Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, General Phan Van Giang, and Minister of Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang. The discussions covered defence cooperation, strategic intelligence, cybersecurity and regional security developments.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, both sides agreed to strengthen strategic information exchanges, including real-time sharing of information on political and strategic developments. Hanoi also proposed exploring an agreement for the mutual protection and exchange of classified information.
Vietnam requested India’s National Security Council Secretariat to facilitate discussions with relevant Indian agencies. However, no new intelligence-sharing treaty was signed during the visit.
Vietnam Seeks Deeper Intelligence and Cybersecurity Cooperation
The proposed classified-information agreement is aimed at creating a framework for secure information exchange between the two governments. Discussions also covered cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity incident response and specialist training.
Vietnam also called for stronger communication channels between senior leadership and greater coordination on emerging regional and international security challenges.
The proposals build on a series of recent engagements between the two countries. These include the Cyber Policy Dialogue in January, the first Cybersecurity Consultation in September and the fourth deputy-ministerial Security Dialogue held in New Delhi in October 2026.
Defence Cooperation Remains a Key Pillar
During his meeting with General Phan Van Giang, Doval reviewed ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to further strengthen engagement in the sector.
Vietnam invited India’s defence ministry and Indian defence companies to participate in the Vietnam International Defence Expo scheduled for December 2026.
India and Vietnam have expanded military cooperation through naval assistance, defence training and equipment supplies. India gifted the missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in 2023 and supplied high-speed guard boats under a $100-million defence credit line.
The partnership has gained further momentum with the agreement to supply India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam. The proposed deal has been reported to be worth around ₹6,000 crore, although delivery details have not been publicly disclosed.
China and the South China Sea Factor
The growing security partnership comes amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea, where Vietnam and China have overlapping maritime claims. The strategically important waterway carries major global shipping routes and remains a focus of regional security concerns.
India has consistently supported freedom of navigation, respect for international law and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. Its expanding defence and maritime engagement with Vietnam also aligns with the Act East Policy.
Neither government has publicly stated that China was specifically discussed during Doval’s meetings. However, Beijing’s growing maritime presence and regional influence form an important part of the wider strategic environment shaping India–Vietnam cooperation.
For Vietnam, closer engagement with India offers another trusted security partner and access to defence technology and intelligence cooperation. For India, stronger ties with Hanoi reinforce its strategic presence in Southeast Asia and support its broader Indo-Pacific objectives.
Doval’s visit signals that the India–Vietnam partnership is expanding beyond traditional defence engagement into intelligence coordination, cybersecurity and strategic information sharing.
