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India and Vietnam carried out a naval exercise on Wednesday in the South China Sea (SCS)–a maritime region that China eyes exclusively for itself.<br />
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India deployed its guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay and guided-missile corvette INS Kora while the Vietnamese People&#39;s Navy deployed frigate VPNS Ly Thai.<br />
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The maritime exercise seeks to strengthen defence relations as both India and Vietnam share concerns over China&#39;s unbridled expansionism in the SCS.</p>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INSRanvijay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INSRanvijay</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INSKora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INSKora</a> undertook bilateral <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaritimeExercise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaritimeExercise</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vietnam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vietnam</a> People&#39;s Navy (VPN) frigate VPNS Ly Thai To (HQ-012) today 18 Aug 21.<br />
Surface warfare Ex, Wpn firing drills &amp; Helo ops were conducted.<a href="https://twitter.com/AmbHanoi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmbHanoi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MOFAVietNam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MOFAVietNam</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BridgesofFriendship?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BridgesofFriendship</a><a href="https://t.co/L9yUkAXNFp">https://t.co/L9yUkAXNFp</a> <a href="https://t.co/WwVzIf4iPQ">https://t.co/WwVzIf4iPQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/iMN63TjgPX">pic.twitter.com/iMN63TjgPX</a></p>
&mdash; SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1427956935446257671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In a statement, the Defence Ministry said: &quot;In continuation with ongoing deployment of Indian Navy ships in the South China Sea, INS Ranvijay and INS Kora undertook bilateral maritime exercise with Vietnam People&#39;s Navy frigate Ly Thai To on Wednesday&quot;.<br />
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Both India and Vietnam are mounting opposition to China&#39;s&nbsp;territorial aggression. Beijing attacked India in Ladakh in 2020 while it has&nbsp;been violating Vietnamese waters in the SCS. India has been collaborating with Vietnam in oil exploration, which has often been disturbed by China.<br />
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The Defence Ministry statement added: &quot;Defence ties between the two countries have been robust. In June this year, the two countries undertook a defence security dialogue and Indian Naval ships have been frequently visiting Vietnamese Ports. Training cooperation between the two navies has been on the rise over the years&quot;.<br />
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Last month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart Sr Lt Gen Phan Van Giang, had vowed to enhance military-to-military cooperation between the two nations.<br />
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The sea phase included surface warfare exercises, weapon firing drills and helicopter operations. Regular interactions between the two navies over the years have enhanced their interoperability and adaptability,&#39; Commander Madhwal said.<br />
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INS Ranvijay is equipped with an array of weapons and sensors which includes surface-to-surface missiles, anti-air missiles and guns, heavyweight Torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets while&nbsp;INS Kora is the lead ship of Kora class missile corvette and it is fitted with surface-to-surface missiles and anti-air guns.&nbsp;</p>
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<strong>More on the South China Sea</strong></p>
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<a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/taiwan-seizes-chinese-oil-ship-as-china-steps-up-maritime-harassment-107964.html">Taiwan seizes Chinese oil ship as Beijing steps up maritime harassment</a></p>
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<a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/china-breathes-fire-as-the-world-converges-on-the-south-china-sea-106671.html">China breathes fire as the world converges on the South China Sea</a></p>
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