Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet के जहाज़ INS Udaygiri, INS Kavaratti Ho Chi Minh छोड़ते हैं — Act East Policy और India‑Vietnam समुद्री संबंधों को सुदृढ़ करना

Key Insight

India’s naval diplomacy in Vietnam underscores Act East push and Indo‑Pacific security

Key Facts

1. On 24 June 2026, INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet departed Ho Chi Minh City after a port‑call.
2. The ships were commanded by Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
3. The visit was coordinated by the Ministry of Defence and highlighted the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam.
4. Senior officials of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Vietnam People’s Navy were briefed on maritime cooperation and regional security.
5. Joint activities included a wreath‑laying ceremony, professional exchanges, a bilateral naval exercise and a yoga session on International Day of Yoga (21 June 2026).
6. The deployment aligns with India’s Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR maritime‑cooperation framework to secure sea‑lines of communication in the Indo‑Pacific.

Background

India is expanding its naval outreach in Southeast Asia to safeguard sea‑lines of communication and counterbalance growing Chinese presence. Such port‑calls are a key instrument of the Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR initiative, which aim to deepen defence ties with friendly nations like Vietnam under the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

UPSC Syllabus

• GS2 — Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India

Mains Angle

This episode can be used in GS‑2 to answer questions on naval diplomacy and the implementation of the Act East Policy. A possible Mains question may ask to evaluate how India’s maritime engagements with Southeast Asian countries contribute to regional security and the Indo‑Pacific strategy.