Speech by Ambassador: Deck Reception on 23 June 2026
Nho Rong Port, Ho Chi Minh City

Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet

Representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee

Distinguished Officers of the Viet Nam People’s Navy

Officer trainees of the Indian Foreign Service (2025 batch)

Ambassador Karl from Belgium who is a great fan of Indian Navy

Ladies and Gentlemen

Xin Chao, Namaskar and a very good evening to all of you.

Your presence today on board the Eastern Fleet of Indian Navy is an honour for us. 

I would like to express my profound appreciation to the Government of Viet Nam, People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and Viet Nam People’s Navy for hosting INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti in this beautiful and strategic port. 

It is a matter of coincidence that the visit of these three Naval ships to Viet Nam takes place immediately after the candidates of India and Viet Nam have been elected as Judges of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the term 2026-35. We look forward to working closely with Viet Nam towards our mutual enduring commitment to multilateralism and Law of the Sea. 

The sea and the waters have always connected our people and our countries. These maritime routes, for centuries, facilitated exchanges of trade, culture and civilization between India and Viet Nam. The seas also brought Buddhism, the celestial bridge, from India to Viet Nam. Today, the same waters bring us together in an embrace as strategic partners and trusted friends working towards a free, open, inclusive and rules based order. 

Friends, Vietnam is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and in the ‘Indo-Pacific’, based on our shared interests in promoting peace, stability and prosperity of the region. 

The India – Viet Nam story has just begun. Even the sky is not the limit of our partnership which will continue to grow from strength to strength. Our mutual trust and shared values need to translate into tangible outcomes. The domains of innovation, S&T and ICT will guide and bring closer the aspirational and entrepreneurial youth of our two countries. 

I would like to place on record the dedicated efforts of the sailors and officers on board these three ships. Your professionalism, discipline and commitment embody the finest traditions of the Indian Navy. Nothing less is expected from our Armed Forces. 

मैं अपने भारतीय मित्रों से हिंदी में कुछ शब्द कहना चाहूँगा।

मैं इन तीनों जहाज़ों पर तैनात सभी अधिकारियों और नाविकों के समर्पित प्रयासों की सराहना करना चाहता हूँ। आपकी मेहनत, अनुशासन और अपने कर्तव्य के प्रति निष्ठा भारतीय नौसेना की श्रेष्ठ परंपराओं को दर्शाती है। हमारी सशस्त्र सेनाओं से हमेशा इसी तरह की उत्कृष्ट सेवा और समर्पण की अपेक्षा की जाती है।

Your presence here reflects our commitment to working closely with Viet Nam and other regional partners for collective peace, humanitarian assistance and prosperity. 

आपकी यहाँ उपस्थिति शांति, मानवीय सहायता और समृद्धि के लिए वियतनाम तथा अन्य क्षेत्रीय साझेदारों के साथ मिलकर कार्य करने की हमारी प्रतिबद्धता को दर्शाती है।

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The strength of our close friendship is people. Today’s evening is another testimony to the close people-to-people linkages which is at the edifice of our partnership. 

I thank all of you for joining us today. I wish the officers and crew of the Eastern Fleet, Fair Winds and following seas during the deployment. You have been and are an excellent ambassador of India. 

Jai Hind

Thank You and Xin Cam On