INS Sahyadri in Vietnam on a four-day visit

As part of India’s Look East and Act East Policy, Indian Navy’s indigenously built multi-role stealth frigate INS Sahyadri entered Da Nang in Vietnam on Friday on a four-day visit.

The Shivalik Class warship as part of its operational deployment to South China sea and the North West Pacific region is visiting Vietnam with a view to strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between navies of the two countries. Indian warships had last visited Hai Phong, Vietnam, in August, 2014. During her stay in harbour, various activities aimed at enhancing cooperation and interaction between the two navies are planned. These include official calls and interaction with dignitaries of the Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese Peoples’ Navy (VPN), reception onboard INS Sahyadri, onboard visits by local populace, guided tours for Indian naval personnel and professional interaction between personnel of both the navies, according to a statement issued by the Indian Navy. INS Sahyadri, inducted into the Indian Navy on 21 July 12, is a multi-role stealth frigate. It boasts of an impressive array of weaponry in her arsenal. Long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range surface to air missiles augmented by powerful guns of different calibres provide a formidable shield against all types of surface and air threats. The capability to carry two integral multi-role helicopters significantly enhances the potency of this ship. INS Sahyadri is presently being commanded by Captain Kunal Raj Kumar.

Economic links

India and Vietnam have cultural and economic links dating back to the 2nd century AD, which were facilitated by maritime trade. In modern times, support during struggle for liberation from foreign rule and subsequent political and cultural exchanges have strengthened this historic relationship. In order to expand this to the security domain, a ‘Security Dialogue’ was instituted in 2003. India and Vietnam signed a Joint Declaration on the ‘Establishment of a Strategic Partnership’ in 2007 as well as an ‘MoU on Defence Cooperation’ in 2009. These have laid the foundation for strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries.

Various activities aimed at enhancing cooperation and interaction between the two navies have been planned