Amid ongoing military standoff with India, China deployed its fighter aircraft and a bomber in the South China Sea. Vietnam's ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau briefed Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla about the deteriorating security situation in disputed islands. While it was described as a courtesy call by diplomatic sources, the meeting saw the ambassador sharing Vietnam's position with Shringla on the latest flare up in the region and also expressing his country's determination to advance "strong Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" with India.