Indian Coast Guard Ship, ICGS “VIJIT” commanded by Commandant T Ashish, will pay a four-day goodwill visit to the Vietnamese port of Da Nang from April 1 to 4. 

Accordingly, the officers and sailors of ICGS VIJIT will have professional interaction with their Vietnamese counterparts during their stay in Da Nang. The visit also includes official calls and interaction with dignitaries of the Vietnamese government. 

In addition, sports events between the two Coast Guards and guided tours to cultural sites like My Son, showcasing the cultural connection between India and Vietnam, will be organized. 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 of search and rescue at sea.

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.

Indian Coast Guard has extensive interactions with the Vietnam Coast Guard. Last year, Vietnam Coast Guard ship CBS 8001 visited India (Chennai) from October 2 to 6, 2018. This was the first time a Vietnam Coast Guard ship had undertaken a journey outside its immediate neighborhood. Maj. Gen. Nguyen Van Son, commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard visited India from September 29 to October 4, 2018. Director General Rajendra Singh of the Indian Coast Guard is scheduled to visit Vietnam in April 2019.

There is growing convergence between India and Vietnam on various regional and international issues.  Both nations are committed to building 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, strengthen friendship between the two nations and positively contribute to the security and stability in the region and the world at large. 

Hanoitimes