VINBAX: Indian, Vietnam hold first military exercise in Jabalpur

The India-Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX-2018) was conducted at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. It is the first military exercise between the two countries. The six day-long military exercise (from January 29 to February 3, 2018) was conducted as part of joint training undertaken with friendly foreign countries by Indian Army.

Key Facts

VINBAX-2018 was Table Top Exercise to carry out training for Peace Keeping Operations under United Nations (UN) mandate. It was jointly undertaken between 15 officers each from Indian Army and Vietnam People’s Army. The joint exercise was especially designed to enable and train officers from Vietnam in United Nations Peace Keeping Operations. The joint exercise was of mutual interaction and shared experiences amongst both armies. It also further strengthened cultural and historical ties between both nations and took bilateral relations forward to greater heights.

Background

Defence ties between India and Vietnam have been on an upswing with the primary focus being cooperation in the maritime domain.  Both countries had signed a protocol on defence cooperation in 1994. The partnership was thereafter elevated to strategic level in 2007 and pact on boosting bilateral defence cooperation was signed in 2009.  The strategic partnership was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2018