Why in news:

• The 5th Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise, known as VINBAX 2024, was held recently in Haryana.

Key Points:

• The Army Exercise was held at the Indian Army's military cantonments in Ambala and Chandimandir, Haryana. This exercise represents a significant milestone in the defense cooperation between India and Vietnam, building upon previous exercises held in both countries.
• VINBAX 2024 aims to enhance the joint military capabilities of India and Vietnam, particularly in the context of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
• The focus is on deploying engineer companies and medical teams to perform essential tasks as part of UN contingents under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. This year’s exercise marks a notable expansion in scope, featuring bi-service participation for the first time, with personnel from both the Army and Air Force of each nation involved.

Key objectives:

• Enhance joint military capability: Focus on engineering and medical tasks relevant to UN peacekeeping.
• Strengthen interoperability: Improve coordination and operational effectiveness between Indian and Vietnamese forces.
• Cultural exchange: Foster mutual understanding through shared experiences and cultural heritage exploration.

The exercise involves a contingent of 47 personnel from the Indian Army, primarily from the Corps of Engineers, alongside members from other arms and services. The Vietnamese contingent mirrors this structure, comprising troops from the Vietnam People's Army.

VINBAX exercises began in 2018, with the first iteration held in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. These exercises are conducted alternately in India and Vietnam, reflecting the growing defense ties between the two nations. The previous edition, VINBAX 2023, was conducted in Vietnam from December 10 to 21.