In News:

Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr was held in Goa from October 2024.

Naseem-Al-Bahr Exercise Overview

• Indian and Omani Participants:
  • Indian Navy: INS Trikand (warship) and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
  • Royal Navy of Oman: Vessel Al Seeb.

• Initiation: Launched in 1993, marking a long-standing strategic partnership between India and Oman.
• Structure: The exercise is conducted in two phases:
  • Harbour Phase:
    • Professional Interactions: Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), planning conferences.
    • Social & Sports Engagements: Informal activities to foster mutual understanding.
  • Sea Phase:
    • Naval Operations:
      • Gun firings at surface inflatable targets.
      • Close-range anti-aircraft firings.
      • Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPS).
    • Helicopter Operations: INS Trikand’s helicopter performed cross-deck landings and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) with RNOV Al Seeb.
    • Aircraft Support: Dornier aircraft provided Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTHT) data to enhance operational coordination.

Key Highlights of the 2024 Exercise

• Interoperability: The exercise focused on improving operational coordination and enhancing mutual understanding of naval practices.
• Cohesion: The Indian Navy Sea Riders embarked on RNOV Al Seeb to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Strategic Significance

• Strengthening Ties: Naseem-Al-Bahr reaffirms the strong strategic relationship between India and Oman.
• Regional Collaboration: This exercise exemplifies India's growing collaboration with like-minded nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Broader Defence Relations:
  • Oman is the first GCC country to conduct such bilateral naval exercises with India.
  • Both countries also engage in other defence exercises:
    • Army: Al Najah.
    • Air Force: Eastern Bridge.

Trade Relations Between India and Oman (2022):

• Oil: India is the second-largest market for Oman's crude oil exports, following China.
• Non-oil Exports: India is Oman's fourth-largest market for non-oil exports, after UAE, US, and Saudi Arabia.
• Imports: India is the second-largest source of Oman's imports, following the UAE.
• Ongoing Trade Agreement: Both nations are currently negotiating a trade agreement to further boost bilateral economic cooperation.