New Delhi, April 09: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday extended congratulations to Phan Van Giang on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening bilateral defence cooperation.
Phan Van Giang’s appointment, approved by Vietnam’s National Assembly for the 2026–2031 term under Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, is seen as a key development in the country’s leadership transition. He will serve as one of six Deputy Prime Ministers while continuing to oversee defence responsibilities.
In his message, Singh underscored India’s intent to strengthen longstanding defence ties with Vietnam, with a focus on expanding cooperation across security, military exchanges, and defence industry collaboration. He expressed confidence that the bilateral partnership will continue to grow under Giang’s leadership.
Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated To Lam on his election as President of Vietnam, reiterating India’s commitment to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
India and Vietnam share robust bilateral relations anchored in defence cooperation, trade, and regional security. The relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016 and further strengthened through the “Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People” adopted in 2020 with then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Marking 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2022, both countries continue to expand multi-dimensional cooperation, positioning the partnership as a key pillar of India’s strategic engagement in Southeast Asia.
