Ten young military officers from Vietnam spent October 23, 2026 at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, where they were briefed on India’s top tri-service training institution and observed how it shapes future officers for the armed forces.
The visit focused on the NDA’s training approach, which brings cadets of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force into a single system of instruction. The Academy’s emphasis on jointmanship, discipline, leadership and military professionalism was presented as the basis of that model.
The Vietnamese officers were also informed about the presence of women cadets in the Academy’s environment. According to the report, this reflects the changing role of women in India’s Armed Forces and the Academy’s shared training framework for future officers.
As part of the exchange, the delegation interacted with NDA instructors and staff. Those discussions covered military training methodologies, leadership development and professional military education, allowing both sides to compare approaches and share experiences.
The engagement was also framed as part of wider defence contact between India and Vietnam. The two countries are described as having longstanding diplomatic and strategic relations, with military exchanges and training cooperation forming part of that partnership.
Over time, India and Vietnam have expanded their defence cooperation through training programmes, capacity-building initiatives and other bilateral activities. The visit to NDA Khadakwasla was presented as another instance of that continuing relationship.
By visiting the Academy, the ten Vietnamese officers added a practical dimension to the broader military-to-military engagement between the two countries. The report says such professional exchanges help strengthen understanding between the armed forces of both nations.
The National Defence Academy, located at Khadakwasla near Pune, is India’s premier joint services training institution. Cadets of the Army, Navy and Air Force receive foundational military and academic training there before moving on to their respective service academies for specialised training.
The visit also drew attention to the NDA’s position as a common starting point for officers across the three services. In that sense, the Academy’s role extends beyond training alone, serving as a setting where shared military values are introduced early in an officer’s career.
