The 5th Edition of Vietnam Indian Bilateral Army Exercise “VINBAX 2024” commenced at Ambala.
Exercise VINBAX 2024
The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 04 to 23 November 2024 at Ambala and Chandimandir. The exercise is a sequel to previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2023 and a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam.
This edition marks a significant increase in the scope with Bi Service level participation for the first time by personnel of Army and Air Force from both the countries. The Indian Army contingent comprising 47 personnel is being represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services. The Vietnamese contingent comprising of similar strength will be represented by the troops Vietnam People’s Army.
The aim of VINBAX-2024 is to enhance joint military capability of both sides in employment and deployment of Engineer Company and Medical Teams to undertake engineering tasks as part of United Nation Contingent in Peace Keeping Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
The conduct of VINBAX-2024 as a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam People’s Army.
A 48 hours Validation Exercise with Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief demonstration and equipment display is also part of the schedule to assess the standards achieved by both contingents while executing technical military operations under similar scenarios in UN missions. The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops of both the Contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritages of each other.
India Vietnam Relation
India supported Vietnam’s independence from France, objected to the US involvement in Vietnam in the 1960s and was one of the first countries to recognise a united Vietnam in 1975 after the war with the US.
Bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ in 2007 and a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in 2016.
Their current cooperation is guided by the Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People 2020.
Bilateral trade stood at US$ 14.82 billion in 2023-2024.
Vietnam is India’s 23rd largest global trade partner and 5th largest among ASEAN countries.
Defence cooperation is multi-faceted and includes defence dialogues, training, exercises (PASSEX, VINBAX, and MILAN), collaboration in capacity building and Navy and Coast Guard ship visits.
In 2022, both countries signed a Joint Vision Statement on Defence Partnership towards 2030 and a Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Logistics Support. India handed over an indigenously built missile corvette INS KIRPAN to Vietnam in 2023.
