On November 26, 2019 India and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) for cooperation in the field of education and scientific research. The MoU was signed following a meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Vietnam People’s Army’s (VPA) Chief of the General Staff General Phan Van Giang. The signing was done on Van Giang’s 5-day official visit to India from November 24-28, 2019.
Key Points:
i.MoU signing: MoU was signed by CP Ramnarayan, the Vice-Chancellor of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) and Lt General Nguyen Cong Dinh, the President of Vietnam’s Military Technical Academy. The signing was witnessed by defence minister of India and Vietnam’s Chief of the General Staff.
ii.Shri Rajnath Singh held talks with Phan Van Giang on issues related to defence cooperation between New Delhi and Hanoi(Vietnam).
iii.Bilateral discussion with Indian army chief: Phan Van Giang met Chief of Army Staff(CoAS) General Bipin Rawat and held discussion over the issues of mutual and strategic concern.
iv.Other recent MoU by defence ministry: The other recent Mous signed by India with other countries are as follows:
- MoU with Uzbekistan: Rajnath Singh signed 3 MoUs with Uzbekistan to enhance cooperation in military ties in November 2019 during his visit to Uzbekistan.
- MoU with Myanmar:The Defence ministry signed MoU with Myanmar in July 2019, for defence co-operation in areas including reviewing joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services in India, strengthening maritime security through joint surveillance and developing new infrastructure.
About the Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Founded- 15 August 1947.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Minister of State (MoS-Independent charge)- Shri Shripad Yesso Naik.
