India and Vietnam may discuss BrahMos missile deal during To Lam visit

NEW DELHI: Vietnamese President To Lam is expected to discuss broader defence cooperation with India during his visit to New Delhi this week, including a possible purchase of BrahMos missiles jointly developed by India and Russia, according to two sources.

The discussions come as India continues to expand its domestic defence manufacturing for both its own military needs and overseas sales. India has already sold the supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines and signed a contract with Indonesia in March.

One of the sources said a potential agreement with Vietnam could be worth around 60 billion Indian rupees, or $629 million, and would include training and logistical support.

India sees Vietnam as an important element of its wider strategy for maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region at a time of growing Chinese influence.

Possible announcements during visit

A third source said some announcements related to defence cooperation could be made during To Lam’s May 5-7 visit, although no weapons deal was expected to be signed during the trip.

To Lam arrived on Tuesday in Bodh Gaya, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in eastern India.

All three sources declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media about government negotiations.

India’s foreign ministry, Vietnam’s foreign ministry and BrahMos Aerospace did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trade and strategic ties

BrahMos is produced through a joint venture between Indian and Russian government entities.

Beyond defence ties, India and Vietnam have also been seeking to deepen their economic relationship. Two-way trade between the two countries crossed $16 billion in the last fiscal year.

The possible missile discussions would add to a broader pattern of defence engagement by India with regional partners as New Delhi pushes to increase exports of military equipment developed or produced at home.

Vietnam’s visit is being closely watched for any formal indication of how far the two sides are prepared to move on defence cooperation, even though one source said no signing was expected during this trip.

The sources’ account indicates that while a final agreement may not be imminent, defence ties are likely to feature prominently in the talks between the two countries during the visit.