India, Oman set up Jt Military Committee

New Delhi, Mar 12: India and Oman have set up a Joint Military Cooperation Committee to boost bilateral relations and military cooperation.

The first meeting of the Committee, to be headed by the defence secretaries of the two countries, will be held shortly.

This was decided at the official-level talks between the visiting Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and and his Oamn counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harem Al Busaidi in Muscat yesterday, an official statement here said.

Mr Mukherjee also held talks with Oman Foreign Minister Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim, and discussed measures to strengthen the existing close bilateral relations.

The two sides also held discussions on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Earlier, Mr Mukherjee visited the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum in Muscat, where the Director explained the historical and contemporary exhibits tracing the path of development of Oman's Armed Forces.

The Defence minister was accorded a warm welcome when he arrived on Saturday evening on a three-day visit to Oman.

He also addressed a reception held at India House by Indian Ambassador Ashok Kumar Attri. Nearly 200 prominent members of the Indian Community attended the reception.

The visit is part of high-level exchanges between the two countries coinciding with the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Oman.

Mr Mukherjee's visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between the two countries in December last and reflects the desire of both India and Oman to interact frequently at the highest levels.

UNI

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