As part of the Navy’s ongoing “active long-range deployments” to improve maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, an Indian submarine has now gone to Oman (IOR).
An officer said on Thursday that the Kalvari-class Scorpene submarine INS Vela went into Port Salalah on February 28 for an operational turnaround. The officer also said that the Indian Navy works closely with all maritime neighbours to improve cooperation in the IOR.
“The visit of the INS Vela to Salalah shows that India and Oman have strong, deep, multi-layered, and mutually beneficial ties. The navies of the two countries often take part in a joint naval exercise called “Naseem Al Bahr” (Sea Breeze).”
This happened not long after another Indian submarine, the INS Sindhukesari, docked for the first time in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is part of India’s ongoing diplomatic and military outreach to Asean countries with an eye on China.
In the same way, India’s military ties with Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman have grown steadily over time. India wants to sell BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, which have a strike range of 290 km, and Akash air defence missiles, which have a range of 25 km, to friendly countries in the region.
India did the “Naseem Al Bahr” naval exercise with Oman in November and the “Eastern Bridge” air battle exercise with Oman in February of last year. “India and Oman work together on defence, which is a key part of their strategic partnership. Another officer said, “The Sultanate of Oman is an important partner in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.”
“The joint exercises not only strengthen the two countries’ ties, but they also help strengthen the military’s ability to work together and understand how the other works,” he said.
India and Oman also have the Joint Military Cooperation Committee Meeting (JMCC), which looks at the progress of military-to-military engagements like joint exercises, industry cooperation, and different infrastructure projects that are already underway.
