Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, 19 May paid homage to Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of Vietnam, at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, marking the leader's 136th birth anniversary. The tribute came during Singh's two-day official visit to Vietnam, his first since the bilateral relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Visit in Context

Singh arrived in Hanoi on Monday, 18 May, for a visit timed to commemorate 10 years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. The partnership was upgraded during the state visit of Vietnamese President To Lam to India earlier this month, adding fresh diplomatic weight to Singh's presence in Hanoi.

What the Defence Minister Said

Posting on X, Singh wrote: 'Paid homage to the founding father of Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh, at Mausoleum on his 136th birth anniversary.' He added: 'His vision, leadership and enduring commitment to national liberation and global solidarity continue to inspire generations. India-Vietnam friendship remains rooted in shared values and mutual respect.'

On Monday, Singh addressed the Indian community in Hanoi, invoking Operation Sindoor as evidence of India's emergence as a 'strong, confident, and capable nation.' He underscored India's no first use nuclear policy while asserting that the country 'will not succumb to nuclear blackmail and stands ready to respond firmly to any enemy misadventure.'

Semiconductor Push and Investment Pitch

Singh also used his Hanoi platform to highlight India's rapid advances in the semiconductor sector, framing it as part of a broader national transformation. He invited the international community — including Vietnam — to participate in India's development, investment, and partnership opportunities, signalling that the visit carried an economic dimension alongside its defence focus.

South Korea Visit Next

From Hanoi, Singh travels to South Korea for a 19–21 May visit. According to the Ministry of Defence, he will hold bilateral talks with Ahn Gyu-back, South Korea's Minister of National Defence, reviewing existing defence cooperation and exploring new initiatives. Singh is also scheduled to meet Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration Lee Yong-cheol and chair an India-Korea business roundtable. Ahead of both visits, Singh stated his intent to deepen 'strategic military cooperation, strengthen defence industrial partnerships, and boost maritime collaboration' in the Indo-Pacific region.

The back-to-back visits to two key Indo-Pacific partners signal a concerted push by New Delhi to consolidate defence and strategic ties across the region.