‘Symbol of deep friendship between India and Vietnam'( Vietnam’)

New Delhi. India gifted the missile-equipped warship INS Kirpan to Vietnam. ( Vietnam’) This reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and Vietnam amid concerns about China’s increasingly aggressive attitude in the South China Sea.

Officials said that for the first time India is gifting a serving ship to a friendly country. He said Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, who is on a visit to Vietnam, presided over the ceremony at Cam Ron to hand over the warship.

‘Symbol of deep friendship between India and Vietnam’
The Indian Navy said the ship has been handed over to the Vietnam People’s Navy with the complete ‘weapon system’. Speaking on the occasion, Admiral Kumar said, “Today’s ship handing over ceremony is a symbol of the deep friendship and strategic partnership between India and Vietnam.” He said, “What makes the occasion even more significant is that this is the first time India is offering a fully operational ship to a friendly country.”

The Navy Chief said the transfer of INS Kirpan to the Vietnam People’s Navy is in line with India’s G20 vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Vietnam, an important ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) country, has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea region. At the same time, India is helping oil exploration projects in Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea. Both the countries have been enhancing their maritime security cooperation in the last few years to protect common interests.

China’s increasing military power in the South China Sea
Admiral Kumar expressed hope that INS Kirpan will continue to operate at sea, “upholding the principles of freedom, justice and a rules-based international order, and become the pillar around which the ‘Force of Good’ will be built.” His comments came against the backdrop of China’s growing military might in the South China Sea. INS Kirpan has been handed over to Vietnam after being decommissioned from the Indian Navy.

“After completing 32 years of illustrious service to the nation, Indian Naval Ship Kirpan was decommissioned and handed over to VPN today,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.

INS Kirpan has been an integral part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet since its induction into service in the year 1991 and has participated in several operations over the last 32 years. Manned by around 12 officers and 100 sailors, the ship is 90 meters long and 10.45 meters wide.

INS Kirpan is an indigenously built Khukri class missile ship. The ship has been gifted to Vietnam as announced by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh last month. INS Kirpan left India for Vietnam on 28 June and reached Cam Ron in Vietnam on 8 July.