Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Nov 11: The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman on Wednesday concluded the 15th edition of their bilateral maritime exercise, Naseem Al Bahr (Sea Breeze), aimed at enhancing interoperability, strengthening professional cooperation and promoting mutual understanding between the two forces.
According to the Indian Navy, the harbour phase featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) between specialist teams of the two navies. The discussions covered areas of mutual interest, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Mine Countermeasure Operations and Hydrography, facilitating the exchange of professional knowledge and operational experience in specialised maritime domains.
The sea phase involved joint operational activities between Indian Naval Ship Surat and Royal Navy of Oman vessel Al-Mu’azzar. These included joint Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills and cross-deck operations, allowing personnel from both navies to practise coordinated procedures and strengthen operational interoperability.
“Exercise Naseem Al Bahr (Sea Breeze) reflects the close maritime partnership between India and Oman and the shared commitment of the two navies to strengthening maritime cooperation. The exercise also reinforces the Indian Navy’s engagement with regional maritime partners in furtherance of the Government of India's vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions),” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
INS Surat arrived in Muscat on November 8 to participate in the exercise, which was conducted from November 8 to 11.
The exercise follows the 8th edition of the India-Oman Navy Staff Talks held in New Delhi from October 27 to 28, focusing on strengthening bilateral naval cooperation and enhancing coordination to address common maritime security challenges.
The talks were co-chaired by Commodore Kartik Srimal, Commodore (Foreign Cooperation), Indian Navy, and Commodore Ahmed Juma Salim Al Khatri, Director General of Operations and Plans, Royal Navy of Oman.
The discussions covered ways to expand operational engagements, training, information exchange and hydrographic cooperation, with an emphasis on improving interoperability and addressing shared maritime security concerns.
Earlier, the Indian Navy's three-masted sail training ship INS Sudarshini departed Salalah in Oman after a four-day port call as part of its historic transoceanic deployment, Lokayan-2026.
The ship visited Salalah from October 14 to 17, during which professional interactions and sporting engagements with the Royal Navy of Oman helped foster camaraderie and strengthen people-to-people ties, the Ministry of Defence said.