Oman Visit by Manohar Parrikar Boosts Defence Ties

India and Oman share trade and people to people ties since thousands of years. People from India in huge number work in Oman even today. Oman too has always been keen on having a friendly and warm ties with India. Oman also supports India's bid for a permanent seat in United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Ties between India and Oman date back to Roman and pre-Islamic times. Today India is home for thousands of students from Oman. A huge number of people from Oman visit India for medical treatment too. People of Gujarat and Malabar Coast have been trading with Oman since centuries now.

To push the ties between India and Oman to a new height, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 20th of May to 22nd of May 2016 at the invitation of H.E. Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defense Affairs of Oman.

During his visit, the Defence Minister met Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Minister of Royal Office HE Lt Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu'amani and held bilateral talks with Minister Responsible for Defense Affairs H.E. Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi.

Meetings:

During the meetings all aspects of bilateral defence cooperation including enhanced military to military exchanges were discussed. Both sides also exchanged views on regional developments of mutual interest.

At Oman-Yemen border where the border fencing work is being executed by Indian PSU, EPIL. pic.twitter.com/5q1HYRThlQ

— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) May 21, 2016

Mr. Parrikar reiterated the high importance that India attaches to its strategic partnership with Oman. He conveyed his appreciation at the continued support rendered by Oman for the Operational Turnaround (OTR) of Indian Navy ships for anti-piracy patrols as well as technical support for landing and overflight of Indian Air Force aircraft.

The Minister visited the Military Technology College and the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum in Muscat. He also attended a reception at Sultan Qaboos Port to mark the goodwill visit to Oman of INS Delhi, INS Deepak and INS Tarkash.

MoUs signed:

Four Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements were signed during the visit. These are:

1. MOU on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Sultanate of Oman and Ministry of Defence of Republic of India;
2. MOU between the Royal Oman Police (Coast Guard) and the Indian Coast Guard in the field of Marine Crime Prevention at Sea;
3. MOU between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of the Republic of India on Maritime Issues; and
4. Protocol between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman represented by Royal Air Force of Oman and the Government of India represented by the Indian Air Force on Flight Safety information Exchange.

Defence cooperation:

Both sides noted that defence cooperation is a key facet of their bilateral strategic partnership, which is based on historical ties as well as mutual trust and shared interests. It was agreed that the two sides would further expand and consolidate their ongoing bilateral defence cooperation.