India and Oman sign four main defence agreements

The Dollar Business Bureau

With a focus to intensify military cooperation, India and Oman have signed four critical agreements, deepening the bilateral ties between them.

The four agreements are on defence cooperation, maritime issues, marine crime prevention and flight safety information exchange. The agreement was signed after the maiden visit of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to Oman.

Parrikar was on an official visit to Oman at the invitation of Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs of Oman, Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi. The meeting concluded on Sunday.

The minister spoke to the leadership about all the bilateral defence cooperation aspects and also the military to military exchanges. They also discussed views of regional developments of mutual interest.

The minister reiterated the importance India attached to its strategic alliance with Oman and stressed that defence cooperation is a key aspect of their bilateral strategic partnership. He also agreed that both sides will look to expand and consolidate their existing bilateral defence cooperation.

Parrikar appreciated the continued support by Oman for the Operational Turnaround (OTR) of Indian navy ships when patrolling for anti-piracy in the Gulf. Oman also provides technical support to IAF planes landing and for their overflight over Oman.

The minister during his visit also took time to see the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum and Military Technology college in Muscat.

The minister was accompanied by, Lt Gen MMS Rai, Vice Chief of Army Staff; Ashok Gupta, Secretary, Department of Defence Production; Dr. S Christopher, DRDO Chief, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, designated new Navy Chief, Air Marshal B S Dhanoa, Vice Chief of Air Staff and other senior defence ministry officials during his visit. The group also had defence industry delegation comprising of S C Bajpai, Additional DG, Ordnance Factory Board and S K Sharma, CMD, Bharat Electronics Limited.