A four-member delegation of the Vietnam People's Army visited the College of Military Engineering (CME) in Pune from 3 to 5 November 2026, as part of the Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programme, in a move that underscores deepening bilateral defence ties between India and Vietnam. The visit covered specialised areas including combat engineering, counter-IED operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and engineering support to UN Peacekeeping Missions.

Focus of the SMEE Visit

The delegation's engagement at CME Pune centred on knowledge exchange in high-priority military domains. Counter-IED operations and HADR frameworks were among the core subjects discussed, reflecting shared operational priorities across the two armies. The Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information confirmed that 'the engagement further strengthened professional ties, mutual understanding and bilateral military cooperation between India and Vietnam.'

NSA Doval's Vietnam Visit Adds Strategic Weight

The CME exchange comes in the broader context of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's official visit to Vietnam, during which he held high-level meetings with the country's top leadership. Doval called on Vietnamese President and General Secretary Tô Lâm, conveying the greetings of India's Prime Minister and briefing him on outcomes from meetings held during the visit. According to the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, Doval recalled the landmark state visit of President Tô Lâm to India in May 2026 and thanked him for his 'steadfast support in strengthening the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.'

Doval also visited the historic Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, where he was received by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice President and Chief Abbot, and Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and Secretary General of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) — a gesture that highlighted the civilisational dimension of India-Vietnam relations.

Diplomatic Groundwork for 2027 Milestone

NSA Doval held talks with Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, a Politburo Member of the Communist Party's Central Committee. Discussions focused on how both nations would mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027. The Indian Embassy noted that 'both sides discussed ways to commemorate this historic milestone in the spirit of India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.'

Separately, Doval met Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang, Vietnam's Minister of Public Security, to review security sector cooperation. The Indian Embassy described bilateral security cooperation as reflecting a 'deep, profound, and mutually trusted civilizational partnership.' Both sides agreed to continue promoting existing multifaceted ties and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

Defence Cooperation Under Review

Doval also met Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang, where ongoing defence cooperation was reviewed and both sides agreed to further strengthen activities in the field. Taken together, the military engineering exchange at CME Pune and the NSA-level diplomatic engagements signal that India-Vietnam defence cooperation is being institutionalised well ahead of the 2027 diplomatic anniversary.