INDIA
OMAN TO STEP UP DEFENCE COOPERATION
India
and Oman agreed to step up defence cooperation relating to military
to military contacts, especially in the field of training and
joint exercises by the armed forces of both the countries. This
agreement was reached during the recent three-day visit of the
Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes to Oman. The agreement
thus reached during discussions held with the Oman leadership
is expected to mark a fresh beginning on several other bilateral
issues as well. A decision was taken to create a formal structure
so that these issues could be finalized. Shri Fernandes’s visit
undertaken from 5th to 7th of this month
is expected to intensify bilateral ties between Oman and India,
which are already very close and multifaceted.
During the visit
the need for collaboration in defence production was also discussed
and resultantly both the sides agreed to enhance joint production
of defence equipment. In particular, a close interaction between
the defence establishments of the two countries in related fields
would be established. Both the countries have joint ventures in
several areas and are in the process of identifying newer areas
of cooperation to take the economic exchange to higher levels.
During his stay in
Oman Shri Fernandes called on Sultan Qaboos in the southern city
of Salalah and held talks with him on bilateral, regional and
international issues of mutual interest. Shri Fernandes also met
the Indian community at ‘India House’ in Muscat. Indians constitute
the largest expatriate community in Oman and are said to contribute
significantly to Oman’s development.
Shri Fernandes’s
is the first Indian Defence Minister to have visited Oman. His
visit is seen as another step forward in high level exchanges
including those of the President of India in 1996, the Prime Minister
Shri Vajpayee’s visit in 1998 and that of Sultan Qaboos to India
in 1997. The Defence Minister visited Oman at the invitation of
Mr Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Hareb Al Busaidi, the Minister for
Defence Affairs, Oman.
