Vietnam is moving forward with discussions to acquire the BrahMos cruise missile system, a significant development that would make it the third Southeast Asian country to procure the advanced weapon. This potential deal gained momentum following a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026.
India-Vietnam Defense Cooperation Deepens
The Philippines and Indonesia have already initiated or finalized deals for the BrahMos missile, a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. Vietnam's interest signals a growing trend of Southeast Asian nations enhancing their defense capabilities through partnerships with India.
During their meeting at the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung reviewed the progress of their bilateral ties. The leaders also discussed future steps to strengthen their relationship, which was elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026 during the state visit of To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to India.
Strategic Partnership and Regional Stability
Both leaders exchanged perspectives on various regional and global issues of mutual importance, reaffirming their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership. India welcomed Vietnam’s participation in the BRICS Summit as a partner country, highlighting the expanding scope of their multilateral cooperation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized on social media that India and Vietnam share a robust partnership underpinned by long-standing bonds of friendship. This cooperation spans critical sectors including defense and security, fintech, critical minerals, and other emerging areas. The ongoing dialogues underscore a mutual desire to foster greater stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.