Indian, Vietnamese armies conduct first military exercise ‘VINBAX’

In a first, the armies of India and Vietnam on January 29, 2018 began a six-day long military exercise in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

The exercise being the first-ever between the two nations is a proof of their growing defence ties. Titled ‘VINBAX’, it will continue for six days.

Background

• India and Vietnam have been exploring ways to strengthen defence cooperation.

• The exercise follows Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to India last week to participate in the India- ASEAN Commemorative summit and attend India’s Republic Day celebrations.

• The issue of bolstering defence and security cooperation figured prominently during the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Vietnamese PM.

• Defence ties between India and Vietnam have been on an upswing with the primary focus being cooperation in the maritime domain.

• India and Vietnam had signed a protocol on defence cooperation in 1994.

• The partnership was later elevated to strategic level in 2007 and the two nations signed a pact on boosting bilateral defence cooperation in 2009.

• The strategic partnership was then elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016.

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