IAF chief ACM AP Singh in Vietnam to deepen defence ties, explore new avenues of cooperation
IAF chief ACM AP Singh in Vietnam. (Image courtesy: X/@AmbHanoi)
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, started his three-day official trip to Vietnam on Monday, where he is set to discuss ways to enhance and extend the existing cooperation between the two nations in defence matters. This visit aims at reinforcing the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that exists between New Delhi and Hanoi.
According to a post shared by India in Vietnam on X, ACM Singh arrived in Hanoi and met the Indian ambassador to Vietnam, Tshering W Sherpa, before beginning his official engagements. The two discussed developments in the bilateral relationship between India and Vietnam.
The air chief was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Air Defence-Air Force Service of the Vietnam People’s Army (Vietnamese air force), following which he held bilateral talks with Lieutenant General Vu Hong Son, commander of Vietnamese air force. The two sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and discussed new avenues for collaboration.
The talks were aimed at bolstering the already existing defence relationship between India and Vietnam. This visit has been made possible because of the mutual commitment of both nations to enhance the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Previous IAF chief’s Vietnam visit
The current visit follows Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa’s official visit to Vietnam from October 30 to November 3, 2017. During the visit, ACM Dhanoa, who was the air chief then, held discussions with senior officials of the Vietnamese air force on security challenges and ways to deepen defence cooperation, while also visiting the VPAF headquarters and operational air bases.
The talks resulted in discussions on a programme to strengthen cooperation between the two air forces, with both sides identifying areas such as delegation exchanges, experience-sharing, training, equipment operation and repair, and flight safety. The visit was aimed at improving bilateral relations and further strengthening defence cooperation between India and Vietnam.
