New Delhi, June 20, 2023: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Vietnam's Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Gang, on Monday. During the meeting, Singh announced the gifting of the indigenously-built in-service Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to enhance the capabilities of the Vietnam People's Navy.
The discussions focused on reviewing progress in various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives. Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the ongoing engagements and identified opportunities to enhance collaboration in areas such as defence industry cooperation, maritime security, and multinational cooperation.
As part of the visit, General Phan Van Gang also visited the headquarters of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to explore opportunities for cooperation in defence research and joint production, aimed at enhancing defence industrial capabilities.
Earlier in the day, General Phan Van Gang paid tribute to fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. His two-day visit to India, which began on June 18, holds strategic importance in the context of India's Act East Policy and its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
The gifting of the INS Kirpan, an indigenously-built Missile Corvette, signifies the strengthening of defence ties between India and Vietnam. This gesture reinforces the commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in the defence sector.
The collaboration between the two nations in defence cooperation is expected to pave the way for further advancements, benefiting both countries. Vietnam's role as an important partner in India's Act East Policy and its significance in the Indo-Pacific region adds significance to this cooperation.
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