NEW DELHI – India has secured access to the key Port of Duqm in Oman formilitary use and logistical support, keeping in mind the Gwadar Port andthe rising Pakistan China influence in the Indian Ocean.
This was one of the key takeaways of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visitto Oman over the last two days. He met Sultan of Oman Sayyid Qaboos binSaid Al Said and an annexure to the Memorandum of Understanding on MilitaryCooperation was signed between the two countries.
Sources said following this pact, the services of Duqm port and dry dockwill be available for maintenance of Indian military vessels.
The Port of Duqm is situated on the southeastern seaboard of Oman,overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is strategicallylocated, in close proximity to the Chabahar port in Iran. With theAssumption Island being developed in Seychelles and Agalega in Mauritius,Duqm fits into India’s proactive maritime security roadmap.
Recently, Duqm has seen a rise in Indian activities. In September lastyear, India deployed an attack submarine to this port in the westernArabian Sea. A Shishumar-class submarine entered Duqm along with navalship INS Mumbai and two P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
India gets access to strategic Oman port for military use, reconnaissanceaircraft. The naval units were on a month-long deployment with the aim ofenhancing surveillance and cooperation.Following Modi’s visit to Oman, the joint statement said the two sidesnoted that the MoU on Military Cooperation, signed in 2005 and renewed in2016, has provided the general framework to strengthen bilateral defenceties. India and Oman noted that the MoUs on cooperation in maritimesecurity and between Coast Guards of the two countries, signed in May 2016,have provided a firm foundation for deepening institutional interactions.
“Both sides expressed satisfaction at the signing of an annexure to theexisting MoU on Military Cooperation between the defence ministries,” itsaid.
In August 2017, Oman signed an MoU with the United Kingdom that allowed theRoyal Navy to use the Port of Duqm. The agreement allows UK access tofacilities at Duqm, and among the vessels that will be allowed to dock atthe port is the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, the largest ship inthe British Navy.
The joint statement said the Indian side thanked Oman for facilitatingoperational visits by Indian Naval ships and aircraft as well as Indian AirForce aircraft to various ports and airports. “Recognising their commonresponsibility towards promoting regional peace and security, the two sidesunderlined the importance of further cementing bilateral strategicengagement, especially in the areas of security and defence,” it said.
It also said that the two sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoingbilateral security collaboration in the fields of counter-terrorism,information-sharing and capacity-building, and the Prime Ministerappreciated the support extended by Omani security agencies on “specificissues of security concern to India”.The Port of Duqm also has a special economic zone, where about $1.8 billioninvestments are being made by some Indian companies.
They agreed to provide further impetus to the robust defence relations,including through regular joint exercises by the three defence forces,training of Navy, Air and Army officials, as also cooperation in the areaof coastal defence and through participation in defence exhibitions, thestatement said.
The Port of Duqm also has a special economic zone, where about $1.8 billioninvestments are being made by some Indian companies. The Adani group hadsigned an MoU with Duqm port authorities last year, but no investments havebeen made so far. “The Prime Minister expressed his admiration at theongoing efforts and plans the Sultanate of Oman is making to diversify itseconomy and welcomed the invitation to Indian companies to invest invarious sectors in the special economic zones of Oman, including SEZs inDuqm, Sohar and Salalah.
He offered India’s partnership and cooperation in areas of priority, suchas minerals and mining, manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, tourism,agriculture and fisheries, IT and IT enabled-services, skills development,innovation,” said the joint statement.