Cam Ranh(Vietnam): India on Saturday presented its active missile corvette, INS Kirpan, as a gift to Vietnam as a symbol of the growing strategic and defence partnership between the two nations.

This gesture comes amid shared concerns regarding China's escalating assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The handover marks a significant milestone as it is the first time India has provided a fully operational corvette to a friendly foreign country, as confirmed by officials.

Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Navy Chief, who is currently on an official visit to Vietnam, presided over the ceremony at the Cam Ranh deep water bay, where the advanced warship was transferred to the Vietnam People's Navy.

The Indian Navy stated that the ship was handed over to Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) with a complete "weapon complement."

“The transfer of INS Kirpan, from the Indian Navy to the Vietnam People’s Navy reflects India’s commitment to assist its like-minded partners in enhancing their capacity and capability, and is in consonance with the Government of India’s policies of ‘Act East’ and ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR)’. This is the maiden occasion of gifting a fully operational corvette by India to any Friendly Foreign Country,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

INS Kirpan is an indigenously built Khukri-class Missile Corvette and is being handed over to VPN in accordance with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s announcement of gifting an in-service missile corvette to Vietnam on 19 Jun 2023.

INS Kirpan departed from India to Vietnam on 28 June and reached Cam Ranh, Vietnam on 08 July.

During the visit, Admiral R Hari Kumar will visit Vietnam People’s Navy’s Headquarters at Hai Phong for bilateral interaction with Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, CINC, Vietnam People’s Navy.

He will also call on Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence.

“The visit of the Chief of Naval Staff signifies a high level of bilateral defence engagements between IN and VPN, as well as India’s recognition of ‘ASEAN Centrality’ to the region,” the statement said.