On Saturday, India gifted its first ever active warship to Vietnam. Both the countries share friendly relations and Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar handed over INS Kirpan to the Vietnam’s People’s Naby as a part of India’s marine diplomacy to counter China’s outreach in the Indian Ocean region.
An event was organised at Cam Ranh Bay where the formalities were completed with the induction of the indigenous missile corvette. The official sources have said that the Indian crew will be around some more time as to train the Vietnamese crew.
This gift from India to Vietnam comes amid China making all effort to increase it dominance among the Indian Ocean countries to establish its supremacy over sea lanes that are crucial for trade and communications.
“No ‘single’ nation can unilaterally alter or misinterpret rules to serve its own interests in the Indo-Pacific Region,” Admiral Kumar said while taking a veiled jibe at China. He also added that Vietnam plays an important role in India’s ‘Indo-Pacific Vision’.
Vietnam is one of the countries with stake in South China Sea, where China has territorial disputes with many nations.