India and Vietnam Discuss BrahMos Missile Sale - Ties Elevated to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership | Current Affairs

India and Vietnam discussed the sale of the BrahMos missile system during the state visit of Vietnamese President To Lam to India from 5 to 7 May 2026. The visit took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both sides elevated their ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Background: BrahMos is one of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missiles. BrahMos is developed by BrahMos Aerospace - a joint venture between India and Russia. The missile is used by the Indian Armed Forces in land, sea and air-launched variants and is known for a high speed of about Mach 2.8 to 3.0. India has already exported BrahMos to the Philippines and signed a contract with Indonesia. A deal with Vietnam could be worth about 60 billion Indian rupees (USD 629 million) including training and logistical support.

Why in News: India and Vietnam identified defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of their bilateral relationship. The two sides agreed to establish a 2+2 ministerial dialogue involving the foreign and defence ministers of both countries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang in New Delhi on 6 May 2026.

Key Points to Remember:

Event: BrahMos missile sale discussions between India and Vietnam
Vietnamese President: To Lam
Visit dates: 5-7 May 2026
Location: New Delhi, India
Bilateral ties upgraded to: Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
New dialogue format: 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue (Foreign + Defence ministers)
BrahMos developer: BrahMos Aerospace (India-Russia joint venture)
BrahMos speed: Mach 2.8 to 3.0
BrahMos already exported to: Philippines (first export customer)
BrahMos contract signed with: Indonesia (March 2026)
Estimated deal value with Vietnam: Rs 60 billion (USD 629 million)
India's defence export policy: Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Vietnam Capital: Hanoi
Vietnam is part of: ASEAN
India's relevant policy: Act East Policy (2014)

Related Static GK:

BrahMos full form: Named after Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers
BrahMos Aerospace headquarters: New Delhi
India-Vietnam bilateral trade: USD 16 billion (last fiscal year)
ASEAN Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
Act East Policy launched: 2014 (upgraded from Look East Policy 2002)
India-Russia defence partnership: Long-standing with joint ventures like BrahMos