India and Vietnam on Monday reviewed the entire spectrum of their bilateral Defence ties during talks here between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart General Phan Van Giang. Rajanth also announced that India will gift indigenously-built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam to enhance the capabilities of its Navy. Both Ministers identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration, especially in the field of Defence industry cooperation, maritime security and multinational cooperation, Defence Ministry officials said later.
As part of his engagements, the Defence Minister of Vietnam also visited the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) headquarters and discussed ways to enhance Defence industrial capabilities by cooperation in research and joint production.
The two sides have been focused on further boosting bilateral Defence ties and reviewing the situation in the South China Sea, a region that has witnessed growing Chinese assertiveness.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and other top officials from the Ministry of Defence were present during the talks. General Giang arrived in India on June 18 on a two-day visit. Earlier in the day, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen heroes. General Giang is also scheduled to visit Agra in Uttar Pradesh.