Vietnamese President To Lam, who is in India for a three-day visit, is expected to discuss the potential purchase of BrahMos missiles during his time in India.
A Reuters report said the BrahMos deal with Vietnam, which would include training and logistical support, could be worth about $60 billion.
Citing sources, the Reuters report said some defence cooperation announcements are likely to be made during the visit of To Lam to India, although there may not be a signing of the weapons deal.
Nonetheless, India, Vietnam, and missile maker BrahMos Aerospace haven't made any announcements regarding such a deal.
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To Lam, who arrived in Gaya in Bihar on Tuesday and meditated under the sacred Bodhi Tree and prayed at the Mahabodhi Temple, will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, and also meet President Droupadi Murmu.
Vietnam holds a key position in India’s Act East Policy and is an important partner in India’s Indo-Pacific vision. Bilateral defence cooperation is an important pillar of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Last year, the two sides had decided to expand and further deepen cooperation in important emerging areas like cyber security, real-time exchange of information, military medicine and exchange of experts.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed with Russia, has been emerging as on India's biggest defence export stories. New Delhi has already sold the supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines and signed a contract with Indonesia in March for the supply.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said the BrahMos team has signed contracts worth approximately ₹4,000 crore with two countries, showcasing the country's growing ability to export high-end indigenous military systems to friendly nations. “Whether it's the export of the BrahMos to the Philippines or cooperation with other countries in the future, India is now playing the role of a giver, not just a taker," Singh had said after flagging off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow in October.
