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COVER STORY

COVER STORYDefence Industry & Technology

Defence Secretary Meets Vietnam Defence Deputy Minister

New Delhi: Following the recent high-level bilateral meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Vietnam on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang in New Delhi on September 13, 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening the bonds of friendship, advancing regional security, and deepening the bilateral Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The discussions centered on accelerating joint initiatives, technology sharing and defence industrial collaboration. The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding maritime and defence ties to ensure a peaceful, stable, and rule-based regional security architecture. India and Vietnam strongly emphasised the value of close coordination in multilateral fora to address complex security dynamics. Specifically, they highlighted the importance of active engagement under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) construct.

Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhancing practical defence cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms, noting that collaborative platforms like the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups are vital for maintaining regional stability and building collective security architectures in the Indo-Pacific. They agreed on the scheduled conduct of the next Defence Policy Dialogue to be hosted in India on the sidelines of Aero India 2027.

The interaction underscores the growing momentum in defence ties between India and Vietnam, building directly on the strategic vision set forth by both Prime Ministers at the BRICS summit.

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COVER STORYNavy

INDIAN NAVAL SHIP SUDARSHINI ARRIVES IN BARCELONA

INS Sudarshini

New Delhi: INS Sudarshini, Indian Navy’s sail training ship, arrived in Barcelona, Spain on 01 Sep 2026, as part of her ongoing transoceanic expedition Lokayan 26.

During her stay at Barcelona, the ship will undertake professional and cultural engagements with the Spanish Navy and other maritime stakeholders. Sea trainees embarked onboard will participate in professional interactions and seamanship exchanges.

INS Sudarshini will be open to visitors on 04 Sep 2026, providing an opportunity to experience India’s maritime traditions and the spirit of naval exploration. The voyage serves as a symbol of India’s maritime endeavour, showcasing India’s prominence in global maritime activities and Indian Navy’s commitment to professional training and excellence in ocean sailing expedition.

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