Indian Navy ships conclude Vietnam visit as Act East strategy gains momentum

Indian Navy warships have concluded a port visit to Vietnam, reinforcing New Delhi’s commitment to its Act East policy and deepening maritime engagement across Southeast Asia, according to reports.

The visit underscores India’s sustained naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region and marks another milestone in the Indian Navy’s overseas deployment schedule, which has expanded significantly over the past decade as part of India’s broader strategic outreach to key maritime partners.

Vietnam remains a critical node in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, occupying a strategic position along major sea lanes of communication and serving as a gateway to ASEAN engagement. The Indian Navy has progressively increased port visits and joint exercises with the Vietnamese People’s Navy to reinforce bilateral defence ties and build interoperability in regional security operations.

Indian Navy ship visits to Southeast Asia typically involve coordinated training drills, professional interaction between crews, and demonstrations of India’s commitment to freedom of navigation and rules-based maritime order in the region. These engagements also serve as platforms for showcasing Indian-built platforms and defence systems to regional partners.

India’s Act East policy, which evolved from the earlier Look East initiative, positions maritime cooperation as a pillar of engagement with ASEAN nations. The Indian Navy has been instrumental in executing this strategy through port calls, joint exercises such as MILAN (held biennially in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and coordinated patrols with Southeast Asian navies.

The concluding of this Vietnamese port visit follows India’s broader pattern of naval outreach, which includes regular deployments to the Indian Ocean Region, the South China Sea, and beyond. The Indian Navy maintains multiple task forces and surface action groups deployed simultaneously across these waters, ensuring India’s maritime interests are protected and its diplomatic engagement sustained.

Vietnam’s own strategic importance has grown as it navigates regional complexities and seeks to maintain open sea lanes critical to its economy and security. Indian Navy engagements complement Vietnam’s own efforts to strengthen maritime security partnerships and diversify its defence relationships across the Indo-Pacific.

The timing of such visits reflects India’s recognition that sustained naval presence and joint operations are essential tools for managing regional stability and countering destabilising forces in the Indo-Pacific. The Indian Navy’s expanding overseas deployment footprint demonstrates India’s capacity to project power, provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and support allied nations across vast maritime distances.