Rajnath Singh will undertake an official visit to Vietnam from May 18–19, 2026, followed by South Korea from May 19–21, 2026, with a focus on strengthening defence and strategic ties.

Ahead of the visit, Singh said discussions will centre around expanding military cooperation, boosting defence industry partnerships, and enhancing maritime collaboration to support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

During his Vietnam visit, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Rajnath Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Phan Van Giang. He will also pay tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the occasion of former Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh’s 136th birth anniversary.

In South Korea, Singh will meet Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back to review ongoing defence cooperation and discuss new areas of collaboration. He is also expected to meet Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Lee Yong-cheol and co-chair the India-Korea business roundtable.

The visit will also include the joint inauguration of the Indian War Memorial in South Korea to honour Indian soldiers who served during the Korean War. India had contributed medical and peacekeeping support during the conflict, including the deployment of the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance unit and the Custodian Force of India for prisoner repatriation operations.

The government said the visit reflects growing alignment between India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.