VISIT OF ADM R HARI KUMAR, CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF, TO VIETNAM

Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, on an official visit to Vietnam he will preside over the decommissioning followed by the handover ceremony of the Indian warship Kirpan to the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN), scheduled for July 22, 2023 at Cam Ranh, Vietnam.

The transfer of a built native in service missile corvette, INS Kirpanfrom the Indian Navy to the Vietnam People’s Navy, reflects India’s commitment to assisting its like-minded partners in enhancing their capability and capability, and is sympathetic to the Government of India’s policies of ‘Act in the East‘ AND ‘Security and Growth for everyone in the Region (SAGA)’. This is the first opportunity to donate a fully operational corvette from India to any friendly foreign country.

INS Kirpan, a built native KhukriClass 1 missile corvette is handed over to VPN in accordance with the Honorable Raksha Mantri’s announcement to donate an in service missile corvette to Vietnam on 19 June 2023. Towards the execution of the same, INS Kirpan departed on her last voyage under Indian Tricolor from India to Vietnam 28 June 23 and reached Cam Ranh, Vietnam 8 July 2023.

Admiral R Hari Kumar will also visit Vietnam People’s Navy Headquarters in Hai Phong for bilateral interaction with Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, CINC, Vietnam People’s Navy and call Minister of National Defense, Vietnam.

The SNC visit indicates a high level of bilateral defense commitments between IN and VPN, as well as India’s recognition of the “centrality of ASEAN” in the region.

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VM/JSN