Collaboration between India and Oman in Defence Sector

Context:  India and Oman have recently signed an agreement to establish a framework for cooperation in various defence sectors.

Details:

• During the India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting in Muscat, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed.
• The two countries also discussed their defence cooperation and ways to enhance their shared strategic interests.
• They also talked about the security concerns in West Asia, particularly regarding the targeting of cargo vessels by Houthi militants in the Red Sea.

Key Points:

• During the meeting, the two nations discussed various areas of cooperation, including training, joint exercises, information sharing, oceanography, shipbuilding, and maintenance and repair facilities.
• The goal was to enhance trust and interoperability between their militaries. They also talked about specific initiatives to strengthen defence engagements, particularly in the defence industry.
• They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the procurement of defence material, in line with their joint vision for the future partnership.

Significance of Oman for India:

• India and Oman have abundant contacts that go back to ancient times; in 1955, the two countries recognized each other by signing a Treaty of Friendship.
• In 2008, their relationship was elevated to a ‘strategic partnership’, defence cooperation of which an important aspect had been in their interactions.
• The closest defence partner of India within the Gulf region is Oman and among the Gulf nations it was the first to hold joint military exercises with all three branches of India’s defence forces.
• Maritime security in the regions of Indian Ocean and Gulf has also been a register of bilateral cooperation between the two countries – Ghana and India.
• Oman is a valuable ally of India in different international organisations, it also is associated in the bilateral relation with India by some common culture as well as historical relevance.
• The population of Indians in Oman is also large and both countries are currently negotiating the finalisation of a free trade agreement.

Oman:

• Oman is situated in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula where the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea become one.
• Most of the interior of the country is an extensive desert territory of Rub-al-Khali which is populated by nomadic Bedouins and oil and gas pipelines traverse this region.
• The coastal areas, on the other hand, are offered more welcomingly, being richer in fertility in land and produce.
• Muscat, the capital, is somewhat of a mixture of modern and traditional architecture and is a port and a commercial centre with a panoramic view of the Gulf of Oman.

Conclusion:

• The recent defence collaboration between India and Oman is a significant step forward in their strategic partnership.
• The memorandum of understanding (MoU) they signed covers various areas such as joint exercises, training, and sharing of information, which demonstrates their commitment to trust and working together effectively.
• This collaboration strengthens Oman’s role as an important defence ally and enhances regional security. It also reinforces the long-standing friendship between India and Oman.

Source: ET

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