India Strengthens Defence Ties with Vietnam by Gifting Warship INS Kirpan

New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart, General Phan Van Gang, recently met in Delhi to discuss and strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. The discussions encompassed a review of ongoing initiatives, with both sides expressing satisfaction with the progress made thus far.

During the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India would gift an indigenous missile corvette, INS Kirpan, to Vietnam. This gesture aims to enhance the capabilities of the Vietnam People’s Navy and foster closer ties between the two nations.

Reviewed the full range of India-Vietnam Defence ties during the fruitful meeting with Vietnamese Defence Minister, General Phan Van Giang in New Delhi today. pic.twitter.com/m5LUJiCM2S

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 19, 2023

The talks between Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart also focused on identifying avenues to further collaboration, particularly in defence industry cooperation, maritime security, and multinational partnerships.

Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the fruitful meeting, stating that the full range of India-Vietnam defence ties was reviewed during their discussions in Delhi.

General Phan Van Gang’s visit to India also included a visit to the headquarters of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), where both sides explored opportunities for cooperation in defence research and joint production to enhance defence industrial capabilities.

Earlier in the day, General Phan Van Gang paid homage to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.

Vietnam holds strategic importance for India as a crucial ally in its Act East Policy, an initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims to strengthen ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and its extended neighbourhood.