India explores export of defence equipment to Oman to elevate strategic partnership
India-Oman strategic partnership close on the heels of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s India trip, deputy national security adviser Vikram Misri visited Muscat to explore collaboration in different sectors including possible defence exports to the sultanate.
During Misri’s visit, discussions were held on strategic, military and security cooperation including defence exports, and maintenance of Oman’s ports apart from cooperation in disaster management, oceanography and artificial intelligence, ET has learnt.
The deputy NSA also met Gen Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani, minister of the Royal Office in Oman and a key figure in the country’s decision-making process. The two sides also gave a push to a bilateral trade deal which could be concluded in a record time.
India has a robust defence partnership with Oman, its oldest strategic partner in the Gulf, and New Delhi is keen to add meat to its ties through possible exports of defence items. The list may include artillery systems, ET has learnt.
India and Oman enjoy a great degree of trust, but Muscat has resources and the market is therefore competitive. India may have to compete with some of the global players, according to a person familiar with the issue.
Last month, defence secretary Giridhar Aramane co-chaired the 12th Joint Military Cooperation Committee with Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi, Oman’s secretary general, Ministry of Defence, in Muscat, and the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding pertaining to procurement of defence material and
