The Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman engage with each other under numerous foreign cooperation avenues
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar is on an official visit to Oman from July 31-August 2, 2023 to consolidate existing bilateral defence relations by holding high-level discussions with the military leadership of the Sultanate of Oman.

During the visit, Admiral Hari Kumar would call on Minister of Royal Office General Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Nu’amani and hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Commander of Royal Navy of Oman Rear Admiral Saif bin Nasser bin Mohsen Al-Rahbi, India's Ministry of Defence said on Monday (July 31, 2023). Additionally, he is scheduled to meet with Commander of Royal Army of Oman Maj Gen Matar bin Salim bin Rashid Al Balushi. While in Oman, the Indian Navy Chief would also be visiting key defence and training installations in the country.

Coinciding with the highly anticipated visit of the Indian Navy Chief, indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam made an impressive arrival at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat on July 30, 2023. During the three-day port call, various naval cooperation events are scheduled with the Royal Navy of Oman, which will culminate with a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) on August 3, 2023, the Ministry of Defence said as it announced Admiral Hari Kumar's visit.

Known for its active involvement in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab League, and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) fora, the Sultanate of Oman holds a crucial position for India. Together, the Indian Navy and the Royal Oman Navy have been diligently collaborating to tackle security challenges in the region, and the INS Visakhapatnam's deployment is a testament to their joint efforts.

The ship's motto, 'Yasho Labhasva,' derived from Sanskrit, perfectly encapsulates its mission to 'Attain Glory'. As the lead ship of the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyers in the Indian Navy, the INS Visakhapatnam has gained a reputation as one of the most potent warships ever constructed in India.

The Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman engage with each other under numerous foreign cooperation avenues, which include operations, training and exchange of subject matter experts in various fields. The 13th edition of the bilateral naval exercise Naseem Al Bahr, an important biennial activity initiated in 1993, was conducted off Oman in 2022, and the next edition is scheduled in 2024.

Both navies also engage extensively under the aegis of various multilateral constructs such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). The relationship between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman is in consonance with the Government of India's vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR).

The partnership between the Indian Navy and the Royal Oman Navy continues to evolve, with their concerted efforts focused on addressing the diverse security challenges prevalent in the region. Piracy, terrorism, and other maritime security issues feature prominently on their agenda, and both navies are committed to collaboratively mitigating these threats.

Bridging the Arabian Sea, India and Oman share a history and culture that have laid the foundation for warm and cordial diplomatic relations between the two nations. The genesis of their formal diplomatic ties can be traced back to 1955, and in 2008, the relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership, signifying the depth of their bilateral engagement.

With Oman serving as a crucial gateway to the Gulf and beyond, India's engagement with the Sultanate enhances its maritime security and economic interests. The Indian Navy's presence in the region is not only a demonstration of India's commitment to regional stability but also its dedication to upholding the principles of freedom of navigation and open seas.