India news: BrahMos missile deal signed with Vietnam

Here is a roundup of some of the top headlines that have India talking on Sunday, May 31:

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Retail inflation may rise due to fuel price hikes, government says

India could see a rise in living costs as a result of recent fuel price ​hikes and a weaker monsoon outlook, the country’s ‌Finance Ministry said in a report, as energy supply disruptions continue because of the Middle ​East conflict.

The duration of the Strait ​of Hormuz disruption remains the "single most consequential ⁠variable" for India's external and price outlook, the ​report said. "The inflation dynamics of April 2026 reflect a growing divergence between relatively contained consumer prices and sharply rising wholesale prices."

Indians fall back on polluting fuels amid gas crunch

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While retail inflation increased only marginally to 3.48% and remained below the Reserve Bank of India's 4% target, price pressures intensified in select food items and services such as restaurants and accommodation, the report said. "The sharp rise in upstream price pressures, along with recent increases in fuel prices, suggests a gradual pass-through to retail inflation through higher transport, energy, and food-related costs in the coming months."

India says BrahMos deal signed with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

India has signed a deal with ​Vietnam under which it will ‌supply BrahMos missiles, which it has jointly developed with Russia, Defense Secretary Rajesh ​Kumar Singh said.

"With Vietnam, I understand that it [the deal] has already been signed, probably not publicly announced," Singh said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore. But it's already been signed."

He added that India is in "final stages" for ​a similar deal with Indonesia.

The Philippines was the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos missile system from India, signing a deal worth $375 million in 2022.

The deal ​with ⁠Vietnam could be worth about 60 billion rupees ($629 million), including ⁠training ​and logistical support, ​Reuters news agency has previously reported.

Speaking at the Shangri-La ⁠defense forum, Singh said that India has a strong commitment to the ASEAN nations, "and we treat all of you as 'friendly foreign countries' with whom we can share advanced defense technologies."

Good morning! This is Midhat from New Delhi, enjoying the respite rain brought after a long stretch of searing heat and bringing you the latest from India today.

Under a new deal, India will be supplying Vietnam with BrahMos missiles, which it developed in collaboration with Russia.

The recent fuel price hikes and below-normal monsoon rains are likely to lead to an increase in the cost of living in India.

Meanwhile, India has appointed a new chief of defence staff.

Stay tuned with us as we bring you the latest developments from India.