India, May 31 -- Defence Secretary's remarks indicate major missile export deal already signed.

Rajesh Kumar Singh on Saturday publicly indicated that India has signed a deal to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam, marking the first public acknowledgement by a senior Indian official that the agreement may already be concluded.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Singh responded to a question from a Vietnamese delegate and said:

"My understanding is that with both Indonesia and with Vietnam, the deal is in the final stages and in fact, for Vietnam, I understand that it has already been signed. Probably not publicly announced, but it's already been signed."

If confirmed formally by both si...