 |
| INS Shivalik (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons) |
India's INS Shivalik frigate arrived in Haiphong in northern Vietnam for a three-day visit on Tuesday.
Chinese scholars have said that Vietnam is attempting to ally with other countries over the South China Sea dispute, a goal which suits India, which is aiming to increase its military presence in the region, according to the website of China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times.
The visit of the frigate, which has a 6,200-tonne displacement, was praised by Indian media as a "brave move," as it passed through "disputed waters" claimed by China to reach the port. It will carry out a joint rescue operation exercise with Vietnamese ships, according to the paper. India is also reportedly training the Vietnamese navy to carry out missions in submarines and underwater operations and plans to sell Vietnam four patrol boats worth a total of US$100 million.
Read the full story at Want China Times