Indian naval warships visit Vietnam in first major deployment since strategic partnership upgrade
New Delhi, June 23. Two indigenously built Indian Navy warships, the stealth frigate INS Udaygiri and the anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kavaratti, arrived at Nha Rong Port in Ho Chi Minh City on June 22 as part of their operational deployment to Southeast Asia, marking the first major Indian naval presence in Vietnam since the elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last month.
The ships, commanded by Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Fleet, received a ceremonial welcome from personnel of the Vietnam People’s Navy, representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and port authorities, underscoring the expanding maritime partnership between the two countries.
During the port call, the two navies are scheduled to undertake a series of professional engagements, including cross-deck visits, sporting events and community outreach activities. Senior-level interactions are also planned, providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange views and further deepen naval cooperation.
The visit comes weeks after India and Vietnam upgraded their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026, reflecting the growing strategic convergence between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific.
The deployment highlights India’s continued emphasis on strengthening defence and maritime cooperation with key Southeast Asian partners and reinforcing its presence in the region through regular operational engagements. The Indian Navy has increasingly used such deployments to enhance interoperability, build mutual trust and support New Delhi’s broader vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Both INS Udaygiri, a stealth frigate, and INS Kavaratti, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, were designed and built in India, showcasing the country’s growing indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and the emphasis on self-reliance in defence production.
