The Indian Navy’s ship INS Darshak docked at Sài Gòn Port on Thursday morning. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Indian Navy’s ship INS Darshak, commanded by Colonel Praveen Thomas, docked at Sài Gòn Port on Thursday morning, beginning a friendly three-day visit to HCM City.

Speaking at a press briefing on board, Thomas noted that the visit marks an important milestone in bilateral cooperation between India and Việt Nam. It further strengthens the India–Việt Nam partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to maritime security and safety, sustainable marine resource management, and strategic regional integration.

According to the HCM City Department of Foreign Affairs, during their stay, the ship’s officers and crew will lay a wreath in tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh at his statue on Nguyễn Huệ walking street; pay courtesy calls on leaders of the municipal People’s Committee, Military Region 7 Command, and Naval Region 2 Command.

The ship is equipped with a helicopter.

The Indian officers and sailors will also visit cultural and historical sites in the city, participate in friendly sports exchanges with the Vietnamese People’s Navy, and host local delegations on guided tours of INS Darshak.

INS Darshak is equipped with state-of-the-art survey and digital data processing systems, as well as modern sonar, water column density measurement tools, and tidal and meteorological sensors. — VNS

Colonel Praveen Thomas, Commander of the Indian Navy’s ship INS Darshak, along with crewmembers, and representatives from the Việt Nam Navy Command in the South, Naval Region 2 Command, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defence, and other relevant local authorities, for the group photo. — VNA/VNS Photo