Chennai

Amid continued momentum of ties between New Delhi and Hanoi, the Vietnamese Coast Guard Ship is visiting India for the 2nd edition of Joint Exercise Sahyog HOP TAC.

The visit comprises of a six-member delegation from the Vietnamese Coast Guard and is aimed at strengthening operational ties with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

Sharing the details in a post on X, the ICG said that the engagement is set to boost operational cooperation via professional exchanges and sharing of best practices in maritime pollution response and maritime law enforcement.

The ICG said, "2nd Edition of Exercise #SAHYOGHOPTAC. Vietnam Coast Guard Ship #CSB8002 and a 6-member #VCG delegation are visiting #Chennai for the 7th ICG-VCG High-Level Meeting and the 2nd Edition of Joint Exercise #SAHYOGHOPTAC. The engagement strengthens operational cooperation between @IndiaCoastGuard and Vietnam Coast Guard through professional exchanges and sharing of best practices in Marine Pollution Response & Maritime Law Enforcement."

This comes shortly after a 5-member delegation from the Vietnam People's Army, led by Major General Do Minh Xuong, Director of the Vietnam Army Academy, visited Mhow from August 17-20. According to the Embassy of India in Vietnam, the delegation also directly explored modern AI and quantum computing laboratories, advanced weapon systems, as well as contemporary tactical training methods.

Significantly, the visit also marked an important step forward in defence cooperation, contributing to strengthening friendship through mutual training and learning.

Also earlier in August, high-level bilateral military talks were conducted during Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal A P Singh's visit to Hanoi.

During interactions between Air Chief Marshal Singh and General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, both leaders reiterated their joint resolve to bolster military collaboration within the ambit of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while also deliberating on international and regional security issues of common interest.

India and Vietnam share traditionally close and warm bilateral relations that are denominated as the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (ECSP).

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Defence and security cooperation is one of the central pillars of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Bilateral defence engagement has also diversified to wider military-to-military dialogue and capacity building & training among all arms of the forces.