Vietnam proposes classified information-sharing pact with India during Ajit Doval’s Hanoi visit

New Delhi: Vietnam has proposed negotiating an agreement with India for the mutual protection and exchange of classified information following the national security advisor, Ajit Doval’s, meetings with senior Vietnamese officials in Hanoi. Both countries also agreed to strengthen real-time strategic intelligence sharing and expand cooperation in cybersecurity, maritime security and law enforcement.

The proposal was raised by Vietnam’s minister of public security, General Luong Tam Quang, during discussions with Doval on Monday, according to Vietnam’s ministry of public security. The proposed agreement would establish arrangements for safeguarding sensitive information exchanged between the governments, although its scope and timeline remain undecided.

Quang requested India’s national security council to help advance negotiations with relevant Indian agencies on several cooperation documents. These include a draft memorandum of understanding on personnel training and capacity-building and a separate agreement between Vietnam’s ministry of public security and India’s Union home ministry to combat transnational crime.
Vietnam also proposed exploring an agreement to combat human trafficking, particularly involving women and children.

Discussions covered counterterrorism, emerging technologies, digital transformation and cybersecurity, building on the fourth bilateral security dialogue held in New Delhi on October 16.

India and Vietnam also agreed to strengthen real-time exchanges of strategic intelligence and information, the Economic Times reported on Wednesday. The discussions covered regional security developments and emerging threats, although neither government has announced a separate intelligence-sharing treaty.

Doval separately met Vietnam’s deputy prime minister and defence minister, General Phan Van Giang, reviewing military cooperation under the joint vision statement on India-Vietnam defence partnership towards 2030. Both sides agreed to deepen defence engagement, including military exchanges, training, maritime security and defence-industry cooperation, RNA Media reported on Monday.

The expanding defence relationship includes India’s agreement to supply Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, jointly developed with Russia. India’s defence secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, confirmed the agreement in May, while Reuters previously estimated its value at approximately ₹6,000 crore, including training and logistical support.

The government has not disclosed the final contract value, missile quantity or delivery schedule. India earlier transferred the indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in July 2023, strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation.

Doval also met Vietnamese foreign minister, Le Hoai Trung, to discuss bilateral engagement and preparations for the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. He separately called on the president, To Lam, and conveyed the prime minister, Narendra Modi’s greetings.

The security engagement comes amid continuing maritime disputes in the South China Sea, where Vietnam contests China’s extensive territorial claims. India supports freedom of navigation and a rules-based Indo-Pacific, although neither government has described the proposed classified-information agreement as directed against China.

Vietnam has additionally requested India’s assistance in training police personnel for United Nations peacekeeping operations and developing its peacekeeping training facilities. Hanoi also sought security-related information sharing ahead of the 2027 APEC summit, which Vietnam will host.

The discussions follow the elevation of bilateral relations to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership in May this year, with both countries preparing further diplomatic and security exchanges ahead of their 55th anniversary.