India seeks to strengthen defence ties with Oman: Mukherjee

Dubai, Mar 11 (UNI) Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said New Delhi is seeking to strengthen defence ties with Oman in the production of ordnance, spares and equipment.

Mr Mukherjee, who arrived in the Omani capital of Muscat yesterday, told reporters that the strong co-operation in economic and commercial fields could be replicated in the defence field as envisaged in the memorandum of understanding signed in New Delhi recently. ''The two countries will hold regular military exercises and India welcomes joint defence training programmes,'' he added.

He praised the recent gesture of Oman in facilitating the smooth exit of thousands of Indian expatriates whose labour cards and visas had expired.

The minister and his accompanying delegation were received on arrival by Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Badr bin Saud Bin Hareb Al Busaidi, Chief of staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) Lt General Ahmed bin Harith Al Nabhani and a number of officials, news reports said.

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