India-Vietnam Strategic Partnership 2026: Indo-Pacific, Defence Cooperation & China Challenge

Explore the new phase of the India-Vietnam Strategic Partnership in 2026, covering Indo-Pacific geopolitics, defence cooperation, BrahMos missile talks, ASEAN centrality, maritime security, trade challenges, and future strategic collaboration.

Table of Contents

Context

The visit of Tô Lâm to India in 2026 marked the elevation of ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership amid changing Indo-Pacific geopolitics.

Indo-Pacific Dynamics Reshaping the Bilateral Relationship

China’s Assertiveness: Rising tensions in the South China Sea and maritime coercion are pushing India and Vietnam towards closer strategic coordination.
- g. Both support a rules-based Indo-Pacific order, freedom of navigation and UNCLOS-based maritime governance.
Shift from Economic to Security-Centric Indo-Pacific: India’s Act East Policy is evolving into a broader Indo-Pacific strategy with greater emphasis on maritime security and defence cooperation.
Supply Chain Securitisation: Global efforts to reduce dependence on China-centric supply chains are increasing economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.
Rise of Minilateral Partnerships: India and Vietnam are increasingly cooperating with partners like Japan, Australia and United States for Indo-Pacific stability.
Competition in Emerging Technologies: Strategic competition in semiconductors, AI, rare earths and critical technologies is driving deeper collaboration.
ASEAN Centrality: Both pursue independent foreign policies while supporting ASEAN’s central role in regional architecture.
Defence Cooperation
- INS Kirpan Transfer: India transferred missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in 2023.
- BrahMos Missile Discussions: Talks on BrahMos exports indicate movement from capacity building to capability enhancement.
- Training & Defence Industry Cooperation: India provides training, Lines of Credit and cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime systems and defence technology.

Issues in the Relationship

Trade & Connectivity Gaps: Logistics bottlenecks and weak connectivity limit full economic potential.
Implementation Deficit: Many agreements face delays in execution, especially in defence-industrial cooperation.
Geopolitical Sensitivities: China factor creates strategic caution in defence and security cooperation.
Limited Private Sector Participation: Insufficient business-to-business and startup-level integration reduces economic depth.
Regulatory & Financial Hurdles: Legal frameworks, funding constraints and export regulations affect technology cooperation

Way Forward

Deepen Maritime Cooperation: Expand naval exercises, maritime domain awareness and coast guard cooperation.
Strengthen Defence Industrial Ties: Accelerate co-production and defence technology transfer projects like BrahMos.
Improve Connectivity: Enhance digital, shipping and supply chain connectivity between India and Southeast Asia.
Expand Economic Partnership: Increase investments in semiconductors, critical minerals, green energy and digital economy.
Leverage ASEAN Frameworks: Use ASEAN-led institutions to strengthen regional cooperation and Indo-Pacific stability.
Promote Innovation Collaboration: Encourage startup ecosystems, academic exchanges and emerging technology partnerships.