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Context: Oman top defense official Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, will be in Delhi to co-chair the Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMMC) with India’s Defense Secretary.
- The JMCC is the highest forum of engagement between India and Oman in the field of defense.
- JMCC evaluates and provides guidance to the overall framework of defense exchanges between the two nations.
- The 10th JMCC is expected to comprehensively evaluate the ongoing defense exchanges and provide a roadmap for further strengthening defense ties in the coming years.
Why is Oman important from a defense and strategic point of view?
- Access to Gulf region: Oman is India’s closest defense partner in the Gulf region and an important nation for India’s defense and strategic interests.
- Strategic partnership: Oman is the only country in the Gulf region with which all three services of the Indian armed forces conduct regular bilateral exercises and staff talks. India has secured access to the key Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and logistical support. This is part of India’s maritime strategy to counter Chinese influence and activities in the region.
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Port of Duqm
Location: It is situated on the southeastern seaboard of Oman, overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Strategic significance:
· It is located, in close proximity to the Chabahar port in Iran.
· With the Assumption Island being developed in Seychelles and Agalega in Mauritius, Duqm fits into India’s proactive maritime security roadmap.
Economic significance:
· It has a special economic zone, where about $1.8 billion investments are being made by some Indian companies.
· In the context of strategic oil reserves near Duqm, India had extended an invitation to Oman to participate in building strategic oil reserves in India.
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- Defense cooperation: Defense exchanges between India-Oman are guided by a Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation. Oman also provides critical operational support to Indian naval deployments in the Arabian Sea for anti-piracy missions.
- Bilateral training cooperation between the two sides is also robust. Oman also actively participates in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
- Bilateral security collaboration are undergoing in the fields of counter-terrorism, information-sharing and capacity-building.
Diplomatic relations:
- Sultan Qaboos, the longest-reigning leader of Oman, was a friend of India.
- Gandhi Peace Prize 2019 was conferred on late HM Sultan Qaboos, in recognition of his leadership in strengthening the ties between India & Oman.
People to people ties:
- There are about 6.2 lakh Indians in Oman, of which about 4.8 lakh are workers and professionals.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-india-oman-ties-defence-officials-mohammed-nasser-al-zaabi-delhi-visit-7748422/
