Oman, India conduct joint naval drills in Arabian Sea

By Medhat Abdul Majed

DOHA, Qatar

Oman's navy on Wednesday conducted the main phase of joint naval exercises with its Indian counterpart, according to the official Oman News Agency (ONA).

“The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) today carried out the main phase of joint naval exercises -- dubbed 'Naseem al-Bahr' -- with the participation of vessels affiliated with the Indian Navy and jets from Oman’s Royal Air Force,” ONA reported.

According to the news agency, the drills “come within the framework of the RNO’s annual training exercises and are aimed at sharing experience with friendly countries with a view to raising the Omani Navy’s combat readiness”.

The four-day exercise began on Sunday and is scheduled to wrap on Thursday.

In 2006, Oman and India established a joint military cooperation committee run by the two countries’ defense ministries.