will be making a port call at Danang City, Tien Sa Port of Vietnam from Oct 29 to Nov 1.

According to Indian Embassy in Hanoi, the ship visits are part of ongoing operational deployment of the Indian Navy to South East Asia region.

Photo: vnexpress.net

During the visit, there will be professional interaction between personnel of both the navies, official calls and interaction with dignitaries of the Vietnamese Government, guided tours for Indian Naval personnel and sports events. On completion of the harbour phase, both Indian Navy and Vietnam Peoples’ Navy would be undertaking Bilateral Drill. Visits to ship will be organised for personnel from Vietnam People's Navy, School Children, People Committee, Border Guards and Vietnam - India Friendship Association of Danang.

India and Vietnam have a civilizational relationship that is two millennium old. India-Vietnam relations have grown stronger in recent years due to a vibrant economic engagement and growing convergence on political, regional and security issues.

In 2016, during the official visit of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to Vietnam, the relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’. Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited India in January 2018 as a Guest of Honour at the Republic Day Parade 2018 and to take part in the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit. This was followed by a State Visit by the then President of Vietnam, Tran Dai Quang to India in March 2018.

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind paid a State Visit to Vietnam in November 2018. Defence Minister of India, Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman visited Vietnam in June 2018 and External Affairs Minister Mrs Sushma Swaraj, visited Vietnam in Aug 2018 for the Joint Commission Meeting and inauguration of the Third Indian Ocean Conference. All three service Chiefs of India Armed Forces have visited Vietnam in the last two years. The Commanders-in Chief of Vietnam People's Navy and Vietnam People's Air Force have visited India in 2018. The high profile visits signify unprecedented momentum in the bilateral relationship and in defence and security cooperation.

Defence cooperation is a vital component of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The Indian Navy has extensive interactions with Vietnam People’s Navy, particularly in the field of training, repairs, maintenance and logistics support aimed at capacity building. It is also pertinent to mention that Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS VIJIT had paid a port call to Danang from Apr 1-4 and two Indian Naval Ships, INS KOLKATA and INS SHAKTI paid a port call to Cam Ranh International port from Apr 13-16.

There is growing convergence between India and Vietnam on various regional and international issues. Both nations are committed to building a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region on the basis of respect for national sovereignty and international law. The current visit seeks to enhance maritime cooperation between the two Navies and will further bolster the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries and contribute to security and stability in the region and the world at large./.