India has worked hard in recent years to strengthen its military ties with Vietnam; last year, the Southeast Asian country received a naval corvette as a gift. It is now taking part in a trade show there.

India has stepped up its efforts to become a major player in the defence industry in Vietnam, as evidenced by the South Asian country’s delegation of military gear manufacturers attending the current Vietnam Expo in Hanoi.

The largest yearly trade show in Southeast Asia, the Vietnam Expo is hosted by the nation’s trade development office.

India’s state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), well-known for producing cutting-edge avionics for the country’s indigenous fighter jet, LCA TEJAS, is one of the Indian exhibitors at the trade show.

“From April 3 to 6, BEL will be a part of Vietnam Expo 2024 in Hanoi. BEL shared on social media that “Indian Ambassador HE Mr. Sandeep Arya and Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade, HE Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien, visited the BEL stall.”

It’s interesting to note that Vietnam is one of the nations that has expressed interest in purchasing Tejas and BrahMos missiles from India.

The makers of the LCA TEJAS, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), reportedly proposed to establish a logistical hub for the aircraft in Vietnam in exchange for Hanoi agreeing to a contract with New Delhi.