Two Indian naval ships, INS Sahyadri and INS Kadmatt, carrying more than 500 crew members arrived at Nha Rong Wharf on Friday, marking the start of a three-day friendship visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

The visit is part of bilateral defense cooperation activities to enhance ties between the two navies and also mark the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations this year.

During their stay, the Indian delegation is set to pay courtesy calls to Ho Chi Minh City leaders, visit the high commands of Military Region 7 and Naval Region 2, pay tribute to Vietnam’s late President Ho Chi Minh, visit local historical relic sites, and take part in sport exchanges with officers and soldiers of Naval Region 2.

The Indian ships will also join the Vietnam People’s Navy in a joint passage exercise (PASSEX).

Indian naval ship INS Kadmatt arrives at Nha Rong Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City, June 24, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Addressing a press meeting held on INS Sahyadri, Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet and head of the delegation, said the friendship trip to Ho Chi Minh City holds great significance as it takes place amid the 50th anniversary of India-Vietnam diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Speaking highly of their growing bilateral relations, including defense cooperation, he said the two countries share a common viewpoint on the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Vietnam Sea, along with the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla (C), Commander of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, speaks during a press meeting held on INS Sahyadri naval ship at Nha Rong Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City, June 24, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

The INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the P17 class of stealthy guided missile destroyers, being designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Design Institute and built by Mazagaon Dock Co., Ltd., Mumbai.

The INS Kadmatt (P29 class) is the second out of four domestically-produced anti-submarine warfare frigates in the Indian Navy’s Plan 28, which aims to modernize the Navy through manufacturing anti-submarine stealth corvettes.

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