The participants in the joint military exercise for United Nations peacekeeping operations between Vietnamese and Indian defence ministries, starting on Monday. — Photo from People's Army newspaper

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese and Indian defence ministries launched a joint military exercise for United Nations peacekeeping operations called VINBAX 2023 in Hà Nội on Monday.

The event is the fourth edition of its kind, taking place from December 11-19, with 577 personnel taking part, including 45 officers from medical and engineering corps of each army, along with lecturers, communication officers and support staff.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Việt Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VDPO) Col. Phạm Mạnh Thắng, who is deputy head of the exercise steering committee, said following the success of VINBAX 2022 in India, this year's event marks the second bilateral field exercise between the two armies held in Việt Nam, contributing to strengthening Việt Nam-India friendship, solidarity and defence ties within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Col. Aseem Gupta, head of the Indian army delegation, said the event focuses on deploying engineering and medical units to carry out the UN mission, thus promoting positive military cooperation between the two armies.

The first event was held in India in 2018, and the second in Việt Nam in 2019. Both of them were conducted in the form of tabletop simulations. Later, the 2022 edition in India was expanded and upgraded to a field exercise, as agreed by leaders of the two ministries.

VINBAX is the only bilateral training activity between the Vietnamese army and a foreign partner in the field of UN peacekeeping operations. — VNS

The Vietnamese and Indian defence ministries launch a joint military exercise for United Nations peacekeeping operations called VINBAX 2023 in Hà Nội on December 11. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức