Anchors Aweigh! Indian Naval Ships Sail Into Vietnam to Strengthen Ties

Ships of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet, INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan, arrived at Tien Sa Port, Da Nang, Vietnam on July 24, 2025, as part of a regular operational deployment to Southeast Asia. The deployment further promotes India's strategic maritime cooperation and regional security goals in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Major Highlights of the Naval Visit

 

The ships led by Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), were ceremonially welcomed by the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) and the local People's Committee, reflecting warm and growing India-Vietnam bilateral relations.

 

Bilateral meetings are arranged with top leaders of Vietnam's Military Region 5, Da Nang People's Committee, and Naval Region 3, promoting discussions on naval cooperation, maritime security issues, and defence cooperation in the maritime domain.

 

Professional interactions involve operational planning meetings, onboard briefings, and combined exercises to improve interoperability and understanding between the two navies.

 

The visit encompasses community and cultural outreach events, friendly sporting fixtures, and guided tours of the ship to enhance people-to-people linkages.

 

This deployment is in consonance with India's maritime vision of 'MAHASAGAR,' for a rules-based, inclusive maritime order and establishing India as a preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific.

 

INS Kiltan offers anti-submarine warfare, INS Shakti is a fleet tanker that provides fuel and provisions at sea, while INS Delhi is a guided missile destroyer, all of which together highlight India's naval operational capabilities.

 

The visit reflects ongoing India-Vietnam defence relations, underscored by past ship donations, joint vision statements through 2030, logistics support agreements, and common interest in regional maritime security trends such as the South China Sea tensions.

 

Strategic Outlook This deployment reflects India's resolve to enhance defence relations with Southeast Asian countries amid changing geopolitical intricacies, promoting regional stability, and furthering India's expanded security and diplomatic interests in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Sources: Press Information Bureau (PIB), The Tribune India, The Statesman