India-Oman Defence Relations

India-Oman Defence Relations

Part of: Prelims and GS-II -International Relations

Context: Oman’s top defence official Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, is on an official visit to Delhi to co-chair the Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMMC) with Indian Defence Secretary.

Key takeaways 

• The JMCC is the highest forum of engagement between India and Oman in the field of defence that evaluates and provides guidance to the overall framework of defence exchanges between the two sides.
• The JMCC is expected to meet annually, but could not be organised since 2018 when the meeting of the 9th JMCC was held in Oman.

Why is Oman important from a defence and strategic point of view?

• Oman is India’s closest defence partner in the Gulf region and an important anchor for India’s defence and strategic interests.
• Defence cooperation has emerged as a key pillar for the robust India-Oman strategic partnership. Defence exchanges are guided by a Framework MOU which was recently renewed in 2021.
• Oman is the only country in the Gulf region with which all three services of the Indian armed forces conduct regular bilateral exercises and staff talks. 
• Oman also provides critical operational support to Indian naval deployments in the Arabian sea for anti-piracy missions.
• Oman also actively participates in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
  • The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium is a series of biennial meetings between the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region. 
  • It provides a forum to increase maritime security cooperation, discuss regional maritime issues, and promote friendly relationships among the member states

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