India-Vietnam VINBAX 2025 Begins in Vietnam

Sixth Edition of India-Vietnam Exercise VINBAX Begins

Why in the News ?

The 6th India-Vietnam Army Exercise VINBAX 2025 began in Hanoi, co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, to enhance interoperability and exchange best practices in UN peacekeeping operations and defence cooperation, with a focus on sustainable practices and environmental considerations.

India-Vietnam VINBAX 2025 Begins in Vietnam

Key Highlights of VINBAX 2025:

  • The India-Vietnam Army Exercise (VINBAX) is a bilateral military exercise aimed at enhancing operational coordination between both armies, including discussions on environmental impact assessments in military operations.
  • The opening ceremony was presided over by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Senior Lt. Gen. Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, highlighting the importance of military cooperation in addressing global challenges, including climate change.
  • The 6th edition focuses on training for United Nations peacekeeping operations (UNPKO) — including joint drills, humanitarian relief, and conflict management, with an emphasis on sustainable practices in peacekeeping missions.
  • Both nations aim to strengthen defence ties and ensure regional stability through professional military engagement, recognizing the role of armed forces in supporting national efforts towards clean energy transitions.
  • The exercise reflects growing strategic trust and military partnership between India and Vietnam amid evolving Indo-Pacific security challenges, including environmental security concerns.

Strategic Significance for Bilateral Defence Cooperation

  • India and Vietnam have steadily expanded their defence collaboration, rooted in shared interests in maintaining maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, while also addressing common environmental challenges.
  • The two countries have signed several defence cooperation agreements, including training of Vietnamese pilots and naval officers by India, with potential for collaboration on carbon offset mechanisms in military operations.
  • VINBAX strengthens interoperability in multilateral missions and provides an opportunity to share tactical expertise in counter-insurgency, disaster relief, and peacekeeping, including strategies for reducing the environmental impact of military activities.
  • Both sides also discussed future cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and India’s Act East Policy, exploring opportunities for joint initiatives in the voluntary carbon market.
  • The exercise supports India’s role as a reliable security partner and aligns with its broader aim to build defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia, including cooperation on sustainable forest management and climate resilience.

About VINBAX and UN Peacekeeping Role:
● VINBAX (Vietnam–India Bilateral Army Exercise) was first held in 2018 at Jabalpur, India. The exercise alternates between both countries.
● It serves as a platform for military-to-military exchanges, promoting joint operational understanding under UN mandates, including environmental considerations in peacekeeping operations.
● India is one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, with deployments in Congo, South Sudan, and Lebanon, often incorporating sustainable practices in their missions.
● Vietnam too has been actively participating in UN peacekeeping, particularly in South Sudan and Central African Republic, with a growing focus on environmental impact mitigation.
● Both nations’ cooperation in such missions underscores their commitment to global peace and multilateralism under the UN Charter, including efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development in conflict-affected areas.