India has stepped up efforts to sell its supersonic BrahMos missile to Vietnam as New Delhi seeks to respond to the military assertiveness of its regional rival China. Reports indicate that India may sell the BrahMos missile to 15 more countries including Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and Chile.

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Vietnam reportedly made the request to India for the BrahMos missile in 2011. However, New Delhi was hesitant to respond to Hanoi's application for fear of annoying Beijing. The impending decision to sell BrahMos missile to Vietnam is reported to have gathered steam after the new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014.

"Prime Minister Modi and his team of advisers have essentially turned that thinking on its head, concluding that stronger defence relationships with the U.S., Japan, and Vietnam actually put India on stronger footing in its dealings with China," said Jeff M. Smith, Director of Asian Security Programs at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington.  

New Delhi is contemplating to provide Vietnam a battleship armed with the BrahMos missiles instead of just the missile battery, Reuters reported.

Vietnam has been looking for military assistance from foreign countries to increase its military defense against China, which is getting assertive in the disputed South China Sea region. India, which considers China as its regional rival, has been more than willing to consider Vietnam's proposal for military assistance.

Vietnam's pursuit to enhance its military defense got a boost help last month after US President Obama lifted a 42-year-old arms ban during his three-day visit to Vietnam.

Tagschina, Vietnam, South China Sea, India, India and China