Vietnam proposes pact with India to protect classified information

Vietnam has proposed an agreement with India to exchange and protect classified information. The two countries have also agreed to strengthen real-time sharing of strategic intelligence.

The proposals were discussed during National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s meetings with Vietnam’s defence, public security and foreign ministers in Hanoi on Monday, ET has learnt.

Doval met General Luong Tam Quang, politburo member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and minister of public security. The two sides discussed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation, including law enforcement, cyber, maritime and economic security. They also agreed to strengthen capacity-building in these areas, an official said.


Vietnam is a key strategic partner for India in Southeast Asia, where China has expanded its presence.

During his meeting with Vietnam’s deputy prime minister and minister of national defence General Phan Van Giang, Doval reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and agreed to deepen military and security engagement.

Defence cooperation remains a central pillar of the partnership, guided by the Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030. The two countries are working to expand military exchanges, defence training, capacity-building, maritime security cooperation and collaboration in the defence industry.

Vietnam will be India’s third customer in Southeast Asia for BrahMos missiles, jointly developed by New Delhi and Moscow.

Doval also called on To Lam, general secretary of the CPV Central Committee and state president, and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm greetings.

The NSA also visited the historic Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, the headquarters of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS).

India and Vietnam will mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027. The visit provided an opportunity to review progress in bilateral cooperation under the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, according to a statement from the ministry of external affairs.