India and Vietnam expanded their maritime and scientific partnership after INS Sagardhwani completed a successful visit to Cam Ranh, Vietnam, from May 4 to May 8. The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the visit reflected the growing cooperation between both countries in naval engagement, marine research, and regional security efforts.
During the visit, the commanding officer of the Indian Navy’s oceanographic research vessel met senior Vietnamese military and naval officials to discuss ways to strengthen maritime collaboration. Conversations focused on increasing professional exchanges, improving naval training programs, and developing joint scientific initiatives. The discussions also marked the continuing progress of the strategic partnership shared by India and Vietnam over the past decade.
As part of the engagement, the vessel connected with the Institute of Oceanography in Nha Trang to encourage cooperation in marine science and oceanographic research. Both sides emphasized the importance of sharing technical expertise, supporting research activities, and building stronger scientific capabilities related to ocean studies. Scientists from India’s National Oceanographic Institute also visited the ship during its stay to exchange knowledge with Vietnamese researchers.
The Indian Navy noted that the deployment included several activities designed to improve operational understanding and strengthen defense relations between the two nations. Training exchanges, cross-deck visits, sports events, and Yoga sessions were organized with the Vietnam People’s Navy to promote stronger coordination and mutual understanding. These activities also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and maritime stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
The commanding officer additionally interacted with senior officials at Vietnam’s Naval Academy, where discussions centered on expanding cooperation in naval education and professional development. Officers and cadets from the academy toured the vessel and observed its scientific operations and onboard systems, gaining a deeper understanding of its research capabilities.
Indian defense officials described the visit as another important step in strengthening bilateral maritime relations and scientific engagement in the region. Naval cooperation between the two countries has continued to grow steadily in recent years. Earlier this year, a Vietnamese naval ship participated in the International Fleet Review 2026 and MILAN 2026 exercises held in Visakhapatnam, demonstrating the increasing level of strategic and defense cooperation between India and Vietnam.
