Indian Coast Guard ship ‘VIJIT’ visits Tien Sa Port of Da Nang
Indian Coast Guard Ship, ICGS ‘VIJIT’ commanded by Commandant T Ashish, is on a four day goodwill visit to the Vietnamese port of Da Nang from 1st to 4th April 2019. The ship visit reflects the strong bilateral ties and growing defence and maritime cooperation between the two countries.
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The Officers and Sailors of ICGS VIJIT will have professional interaction with their Vietnamese counterparts during their stay at Da Nang. The visit also includes official calls and interaction with dignitaries of Vietnam Government. Sports events between the two Coast Guards and guided tours to cultural sites like My Son, showcasing the cultural connect between India and Vietnam, will be organised. Friends of India from Da Nang and surrounding areas will also get an opportunity to visit the Indian ship. On its way out, Indian Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard will undertake an exercise on Search and Rescue at sea.
Bilateral relations between India and Vietnam have been traditionally strong with cultural, religious and economic ties dating back to 2nd Century AD. India-Vietnam relations have been strengthened in recent years due to a vibrant economic relationship and growing convergence on political, regional and security issues. In 2016, during the official visit of Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi to Vietnam, the relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.
In 2017, both countries celebrated the 45th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations and 10th anniversary of ‘Strategic Partnership’. The President of India, Mr Ram Nath Kovind paid a State Visit to Vietnam in Nov 2018. Defence Minister of India, Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman visited Vietnam in Jun 2018 and External Affairs Minister Mrs Sushma Swaraj, visited Vietnam in Aug 2018 for the Joint Commission Meeting and inauguration of the Indian Ocean Conference. There were a number of bilateral visits by senior defence officers from both sides in 2018 and more are planned in 2019. The high profile visits signify unprecedented momentum in the bilateral relationship and in defence engagement.
Indian Coast Guard has extensive interactions with the Vietnam Coast Guard. Last year, a Vietnam Coast Guard Ship CBS 8001 visited India (Chennai) from 02-06 Oct 2018. This was the first time a Vietnam Coast Guard ship has undertaken a journey outside its immediate neighbourhood. Maj Gen Nguyen Van Son, Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard visited India from 29 Sep to 04 Oct 2018. Director General Rajendra Singh of the Indian Coast Guard is scheduled to visit Vietnam in Apr 2019.
There is growing convergence between India and Vietnam on various regional and international issues. Both nations are committed to building of a peaceful and prosperous Asia and the Indo-Pacific region on the basis of respect for national sovereignty and international law as well as freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded economic activities. The current ship visit seeks to enhance maritime cooperation between the two Coast Guards, enhance friendship between the two nations and positively contribute
