India, Oman deepen maritime cooperation as INS Surat joins 15th edition of Naseem Al Bahr
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi. India and Oman are set to further strengthen their longstanding maritime and defence partnership with the Indian Navy’s participation in the 15th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ (Sea Breeze), followed by a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) involving the two navies.
Indian Naval Ship Surat arrived at Muscat on November 8 to take part in the exercise, which will feature professional interactions during its harbour and sea phases, according to a statement issued by India’s Ministry of Defence. The activities are expected to include cross-deck visits, operational discussions and sporting events, providing personnel from both navies an opportunity to exchange experiences, share best practices and improve operational interoperability.
The engagement is part of the expanding maritime cooperation between the two countries, underpinned by longstanding political, economic and defence ties and their shared interest in maintaining security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
The exercise also builds on the momentum generated by the 13th meeting of the India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC), held in New Delhi on November 24, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Oman’s Secretary General in the Ministry of Defence, Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed their defence cooperation and discussed ways to expand engagement across various areas. They also exchanged views on regional and international security developments, with particular emphasis on the Indian Ocean Region.
A key focus of the discussions was strengthening defence industrial cooperation through joint development, technology sharing and expanded production partnerships. Both countries stressed the need to build resilient supply chains, enhance interoperability and promote innovation in emerging defence technologies.
The discussions also explored the development of long-term frameworks for co-developing advanced defence platforms, expanding indigenous manufacturing capabilities and improving strategic resilience. The two sides agreed that closer collaboration in defence production and technology would contribute to their respective modernisation programmes while supporting regional stability and mutual security interests.
The visiting Omani defence official also called on Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and discussed bilateral defence cooperation. He separately met Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, providing an opportunity to review military-to-military engagement between the two countries.
The latest naval engagement reflects the operational dimension of a broader strategic partnership that encompasses defence, energy security, trade and regional stability. Oman occupies a strategically important position along the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, making maritime security and the safety of vital sea lanes important areas of convergence for New Delhi and Muscat.
For India, close maritime cooperation with Oman is significant given the country’s location near major international shipping routes connecting the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean. The two countries also share interests in combating maritime threats, ensuring freedom of navigation and maintaining stability across the wider West Asian and Indian Ocean region.
The exercise and subsequent coordinated patrol are expected to strengthen practical cooperation between the two navies, while regular high-level defence consultations provide a framework for advancing industrial and technological collaboration.
The engagement is also consistent with India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, which seeks to promote maritime cooperation, security and sustainable development through partnerships with countries across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
The 15th edition of Naseem Al Bahr thus represents a continuation of the two countries’ efforts to translate their strategic partnership into closer operational cooperation at sea, while reinforcing their commitment to a secure and stable maritime environment.
