In another feat of coming out as a symbol of strength and support, India has now officially handed over its promised gift to Vietnam as declared by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 19. Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang had visited the capital, Delhi, for a two-day trip and was welcomed by President Murmu; their talk concluded with recognition of Vietnam as an essential figure of India’s East Asia Policy and an equally reasonable partner in the Indo-Pacific Vision.Â
Image Source : Zee Business
Adding to the rich common cultural and civil history of both nations, the President also accepted that India – Vietnam ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ‘ broadens the bilateral collaboration between India and Vietnam and promises stronger defence and security cooperation. Following the same, Indian Navy Chief R. Hari Kumar handed over the indigenous missile corvette INS Kirpan which has been in service for the Indian Navy for the past 32 years.
The decommissioning took place this Saturday, in a ceremony presided by Commander in Chief Adm. Kumar and Chief of Staff Adm. Pham Manh Hung of VPN (Vietnam People’s Navy). The handing over was inclusive of complete weapon complements in the warship and the words of Hari Kumar present itself as an “assurance to our friends and partners”. The nation wishes to ensure its standing as reliable and agreeable in matters of collective regional security.
Vietnam’s Take
Celebrating the occasion, Adm. Kumar rejoices on India’s gracefulness as it’s her first offering to a friendly foreign country when a fully functional corvette is concerned.
Image source : ABP Live – ABP News
The subject of this proud act departed for Cam Ranh on June 28 and reached there on July 8. The warship was decorated with a tricolour and was a visible speech of India’s being a preferred security partner for everyone in the Indian Ocean region. Kirpan is 90 meters. long and 10.45 meters. wide with an astonishing displacement capacity of 1,450 tons. In its final journey, it was accompanied by 12 officers and 100 sailors on their command.
While the gift is an important push towards the bilateral relations between the two, the immediate reason for the exchange can be targeted at the long-going South China Sea territorial dispute, also known as the dispute over the 9 dashes. It is concentrated over the region in the South China Sea which China has been increasingly attempting to claim over countries such as Taiwan, the Philippines including Vietnam which are often subjected to their forceful imprudence.
On account of India’s oil exploration projects in Vietnamese waters, this move could be regarded as another move to protect the common interests of the two.
Multilateral impact
Not only does the potential of this dispute threaten to block one of the most important channels of sea route trade which reaches all of the globe, accounting for almost 1/3rd of the total, but it also poses an issue in the safety, security and sustainability of the people belonging to the aforementioned region. It has been a cause of regional instability and also poses a threat to marine resources and ecology. In such a case India’s gracefulness rightly fulfils its objective and serves as more than a bilateral unit of force, making the effort to reach multilateral affairs.
Image source : alarabiya.net
Kirpan is our Navy’s hope as a medium for Vietnam to intensify its hold on the far-flowing waters, dominating the existence of freedom and upholding its exploration in the shadow of justice and principles of international rules. The shared viewpoints of the collaborating countries towards inclusion in Indo Pacific region and their mutual willingness to launch and engage in initiatives meant to enhance submarine rescue support including spares supply, ship repairs as well as deputation of instructors.
This fantabulous contribution is built upon India’s confidence in itself, for the starlike warship it has provided and in Vietnam, who India believes to be capable of safeguarding regional security, promoting peace and ensuring stability.
