Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will undertake an official visit to Vietnam from 18 May to 19 May 2026, followed by a visit to the Republic of Korea from 19 May to 21 May 2026, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday, 18 May.
The visit will focus on deepening strategic military cooperation, strengthening defence industrial partnerships and expanding maritime collaboration, with a broader focus on promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a post on X before his departure, Singh said he looked forward to visiting Vietnam and South Korea this week to further expand the scope of India’s engagement with the two Asian countries.
“Today, 18th May, I shall be reaching Hanoi. Looking forward to visiting Vietnam and South Korea this week to further expand the scope of our engagement,” Singh said.
He added that his focus would be on “deepening strategic military cooperation, strengthening defence industrial partnerships, and boosting” maritime collaboration.
The visit to Vietnam comes as India and Vietnam mark 10 years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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The partnership was upgraded to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the state visit of the President of Vietnam to India from 5 May to 7 May 2026.
During the Vietnam leg of the visit, Singh will hold bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang.
The Ministry of Defence said a Joint Vision Statement of India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 was signed during Singh’s last visit to Vietnam from 8 June to 10 June 2022.
The statement laid down a defined way ahead for bilateral defence cooperation.
The ministry said India and Vietnam have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the region.
Singh’s visit will also coincide with the 136th birth anniversary of former Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh on 19 May 2026.
The Defence Minister will lay a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and pay tribute as a mark of respect.
During his visit to South Korea, Singh will hold bilateral talks with South Korea’s Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back.
The two ministers will review defence cooperation between India and South Korea and explore new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral engagement.
They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.
Singh will also meet Defence Acquisition Program Administration Minister Lee Yong-cheol and chair the India-Korea business roundtable.
The Ministry of Defence said India’s contribution during the Korean War remains one of the most significant chapters in the history of India’s commitment to global peace and stability.
India deployed the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance of the Indian Army during the Korean War.
The unit served for more than three years, treated over 2 lakh patients and carried out about 2,500 surgeries, apart from treating several civilians.
The second major contribution of India was the Chairmanship of Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, an Indian proposal to the UN, which was accepted with majority.
Accordingly, Custodian Force of India, a 5,230 strong Indian Army contingent undertook peaceful repatriation of almost 2,000 prisoners of war in the post-war phase.
To honour fallen soldiers, a joint inauguration of the Indian War Memorial with South Korea’s Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul has been planned on 21 May 2026.
The ministry said the natural alignment of India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, along with shared values in the Indo-Pacific region, has opened a new chapter in relations between the two countries.
