India and Vietnam will review the entire spectrum of their bilateral Defence and strategic ties during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s talks with his counterpart in Vietnam.
Giving a boost to the strong relations between the two nations, Rajnath will also hand over 12 India-made high-speed guard boats.
Giving details of his three-day visit starting June 8, Defence Ministry officials said here on Sunday the boats are part of India’s 100 million dollars defence line of credit to Vietnam.
"This project is significant in the context of the growing defence industry cooperation with Vietnam and exemplifies Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India, 'Make for the World'," they said.
Rajnath will hold wide-ranging talks with his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang. He is also scheduled to call on President of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
At the Hong Ha Shipyard in Hai Phong, the Defence Minister will preside over the handing over ceremony of 12 high speed guard boats.
He will also visit the training institutions of Vietnam at Nha Trang, including the Telecommunication University where an Army Software Park is being established with the USD five million grant from India.
Officials described the visit as historic as it comes on the occasion of 50 years of establishment of India-Vietnam Diplomatic relations and 75 years of India's Independence. They said the visit will further consolidate the bilateral defence cooperation and the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Rajnath will commence his visit by paying respects to Late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum in Hanoi. He will also attend a community event organised by the Embassy of India, Hanoi and interact with the Indian diaspora in Vietnam.
India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership. Vietnam is an important partner in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision.
Bilateral defence engagements have expanded over a period of time to include wide-ranging contacts between the two countries, including defence policy dialogues, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programmes, cooperation in UN Peace Keeping, ship visits and bilateral exercises.