In a show of solidarity with the people of Vietnam, Indian Navy’s warship, INS Kiltan reached Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday (24 December) with 15 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies for people affected by floods in central Vietnam, reports Hindustan Times.
The visit by INS Kiltan (P30) which is an anti-submarine warfare corvette comes days after Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi held a bilateral summit with his Vietnamese counterpart.
The indigenously built corvette arrived at Ho Chi Minh’s Nha Rong port as a part of the government’s “Mission Sagar-III” under which India is leading humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support to friendly nations during the course of COVID-19 pandemic.
But more importantly, INS Kiltan will also be undertaking a “passing exercise” with the Vietnam People’s Navy in the contentious South China Sea on 26-27 December.
The South China Sea is considered as the People’s Republic of China own territory and that has led to a dispute with almost all nations in that region coupled with the territorial aspiration of President Xi Jinping.
However, India’s mission is focused on enhancing maritime cooperation between the two naval forces and strengthening regional security and stability. This exercise will also signal other nations in that region that they can stand up to China and not be bullied.