• The fifth edition of VINBAX exercise between the militaries of India and Vietnam got underway in Haryana on November 4. It will conclude on November 23 at Ambala and Chandimandir.

• VINBAX was instituted in 2018 and the first edition of the joint military exercise was conducted at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

• It is an annual training event conducted alternately in India and Vietnam.

• The exercise is a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam.

• The fifth edition of VINBAX marks a significant increase in scope with bi-service level participation for the first time by personnel of the Army and the Air Force from both 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 is represented by the troops Vietnam People’s Army.

• The aim of VINBAX 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 a United Nation contingent in peacekeeping operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

India-Vietnam Relations

• India and Vietnam share traditionally close and cordial bilateral relations. India was the chairman of the International Commission for Supervision and Control (ICSC) which was formed in pursuant of the Geneva Accord of 1954 to facilitate the peace process in Vietnam. 

• India initially maintained consulate-level relations with the then North and South Vietnam and later established full diplomatic relations with unified Vietnam on January 7, 1972. 

• Vietnam, an important country of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea region.

• India has oil exploration projects in the Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea. India and Vietnam are boosting their maritime security cooperation in the last few years to protect common interests.

• Vietnam is an important partner in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision.

• Bilateral defence engagements have expanded over a period of time to include wide-ranging contacts between the two countries, including through defence policy dialogues, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programmes and cooperation in the UN peacekeeping and bilateral exercises.

• Relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of ‘Strategic  Partnership’ during the visit of Vietnam's then Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to India in July 2007.

• In 2016, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam, bilateral relations were further elevated to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’. 

• From $200 million in the year 2000, bilateral trade between India and Vietnam has seen steady growth over the years. 

• During April 2023-March 2024, India-Vietnam trade stood at $14.82 billion where India’s export to Vietnam amounted to $5.47 billion and Vietnam’s exports to India were $9.35 billion. 

• Main Indian exports to Vietnam include engineering goods, agricultural products (including meat and fishery products), chemicals and pharmaceuticals, electronic goods, minerals, cotton and textiles, plastics, etc.

• India’s imports from Vietnam mainly comprise of computer and electronic goods, mobile phones & accessories, machinery & equipment, steel & other metals, chemicals, footwear, garments, rubber, wooden products, etc.

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