Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Vietnam is expected to raise a lot of interest.

According to Professor Sukh Doe Muni, a fellow at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, the visit comes as the question of the South China Sea becomes more pertinent.

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Vietnam's urgent need for improved maritime defenses against an increasingly assertive Beijing in the disputed South China Sea is expected to top the agenda during the Modi's visit.

"Narendra Modi's visit actually is the strong indication of India showing its friendship, camaraderie, solidarity with Vietnam, particularly at the time when Vietnam is facing lots of pressure in the region from China," said the former senior Indian diplomat.

Some analysts say that the visit is an indication of how important Hanoi is to New Delhi, but also a signal to China.

Others disagree, however, insisting that the visit would have little or no impact on Beijing, as the country already has fairly strong ties with Vietnam.

The recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague dealt a huge blow to China's maritime claims, and could be a catalyst to more enhanced relationships between India and Vietnam.

Vietnamese experts on Indian affairs have cited confidential sources claiming that Vietnam entered high-level negotiations in June with India to buy BrahMos cruise missiles. This development has prompted huge concerns in Beijing.

India is one of the largest exporters of weapons to Vietnam.

Rising tensions over the South China Sea dispute has led Vietnam to stockpile arms to defend herself.

Tagschina, India, Vietnam