Amid the worst stand-off between India and China, a defence deal between Beijing's arch-rival Hanoi and New Delhi would have escalated the tension to a new heights. However, the government has firmly rejected the media reports about the sale of BrahMos missile to Vietnam that could have irked China.

“It is not correct, that is what I am trying to say. The person who has been quoted, the ministry has already rejected and they are saying that the news item which is running and which is out is incorrect," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. The denial comes after many in India took a local Vietnamese report as a confirmation of the deal.

Earlier in the day, a report in VN Express International was interpreted as the confirmation of the BrahMos sale. The report said that, “the purchase of defense equipment (BrahMos) is in line with Vietnam’s peaceful national defense policies.” Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang's words were seen as acceptance of the possible defence deal.

The Vietnamese media report said, “Hang didn't directly address the question, but said that the procurement of defense equipment "is in line with Vietnam’s peaceful national defense policies aimed at protecting the country.” Beijing would be keenly observing any such deal in the region especially that involves India and Vietnam. The defence ministry has yet not issued a statement on the BrahMos issue.

In February, while replying to a question in Lok Sabha on whether the government has any plans to sell Akash and BrahMos missile to Vietnam, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre had said that India has held talks with the South Asian country on the issue. "India and Vietnam share a strategic partnership. Defence cooperation, including supply of defence equipment, is an important aspect of this partnership.

"Both countries have held discussions on range of issues in this regard," he had said in a written reply. Vietnam, which is involved in a territorial dispute with China, is keen to get it hands on the supersonic missiles that can be fired on land, water and under water.

(With inputs from PTI)