A military delegation from the Joint Command and Staff College of Oman, led by Col. Mohammed Al-Mashaikhi, visited the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) on November 21, 2023. During this engagement, Director General Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy provided an insightful presentation detailing the establishment and structure of the Institute.

Established in 1965, MP-IDSA operates as an independent entity supported by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Its governance is overseen by the Executive Council, traditionally presided over by the Defence Minister of India. Amb. Chinoy highlighted the diverse spectrum of research initiatives undertaken by the Institute’s various Centres, shedding light on key issues and areas of research by the scholars. Emphasising MP-IDSA’s contributions, he mentioned significant publications, specifying two esteemed peer-reviewed research journals: Strategic Analysis and Journal of Defence Studies.

Amb. Chinoy also briefed the delegation about the multifaceted bilateral relationship between India and Oman including defence, security, infrastructure, education, energy and power sectors. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Sultanate of Oman in 2018 has contributed to further strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The special friendship of India with Oman was also visible through the Indian invitation to Oman as a Guest Country in India’s G20 Summit. Amb. Chinoy also emphasised the strategic importance of Oman for India.

Both countries have conducted several joint military exercises such as the Air exercise “Eastern Bridge” and the joint Army exercise called Al Najah. He mentioned that Oman is one of the few countries with which India conducts joint military exercises with all the three wings of the defence forces. He also highlighted the participation of Omani officers in the ITEC programme with 125 slots in India and the presence of a large Indian diaspora community in Oman among others.

Amb. Chinoy noted that India is among Oman’s top trading partners. Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at around US$ 12. 38 billion in 2022-23. It has more than doubled in the last few years. In 2020-21 total trade was US$ 5.44 billion. India remained the 2nd largest market for Oman’s crude oil in 2022.

Discussion

The following key issues and suggestions were discussed by the members of the Omani delegation and scholars of MP-IDSA during the meeting:

1. India-Oman Security Cooperation: The scope for security cooperation between India and Oman is extensive, given their shared commitment to regional stability and counterterrorism efforts. Both countries can collaborate on intelligence-sharing, joint military exercises and maritime security initiatives to address the common security threats in the Arabian Sea. Enhanced defence ties can include the exchange of expertise in counterinsurgency operations, cybersecurity and disaster management. Also, joint efforts in capacity-building, military training programs and strategic dialogues can contribute to a robust security framework, ensuring the safeguarding of shared interests and promoting peace and stability in the region.

   Oman, strategically positioned at the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, has a vast and significant maritime domain. With a coastline stretching over 1,700 kilometres along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, Oman plays a pivotal role in the geopolitics of the region. The country’s maritime space encompasses critical sea lanes, making it a key player in global maritime trade. It was suggested that the maritime cooperation between India and Oman should be further expanded. Strengthening maritime connectivity can facilitate smoother trade routes and boost bilateral relations. Additionally, the development of ports and shipping infrastructure through mutual cooperation can enhance both countries’ capabilities in handling goods and services, thereby fostering economic growth.

2. Expanding Al-Najah Exercise: The Al-Najah is a joint military exercise which aims to enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman, thereby enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations. The scope of the exercise includes professional interaction, mutual understanding of drills and procedures, establishment of joint command and control structures and elimination of terrorist threats. In the discussion, it was suggested that Al-Najah exercises could be expanded into a joint tri-services exercise, bringing in personnel from the Navy and Air Force as well.

3. Cooperation in the Defence Industrial Sector: There exists a significant avenue for bilateral collaboration in the defence industrial sector for both India and Oman that needs to be explored further. The potential for synergy between the two nations in this domain is highly promising and holds the prospect of yielding mutually advantageous outcomes. Moreover, the establishment of exchange programmes for defence personnel, technical experts and engineers can serve as platforms for the exchange of expertise and skill sets, further strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two countries.

4. Research on Water Security: A member of the Omani delegationstated that there is scope for research collaboration between the Middle East Desalination Research Centre (MEDRC) and MP-IDSA in the field of water security. Founded in 1996 as a component of the Middle East Peace Process, the MEDRC is an international organisation that addresses freshwater scarcity issues. Situated in Muscat, the organisation is tasked with conducting research, providing training, fostering development cooperation and overseeing transboundary water projects – all aimed at finding solutions to the challenges posed by limited freshwater resources. There are good prospects for collaboration, which may be further discussed based on mutual understanding.

5. Joint Research and Exchange of Scholars: The meeting explored the potential for collaborative research endeavours and the exchange of scholars between MP-IDSA and counterparts from Oman, aiming to deepen mutual comprehension of pertinent bilateral issues. Amb. Chinoy highlighted MP-IDSA’s recent engagement with two African Fellows, underscoring the success of such academic collaborations. Extending a similar initiative to involve scholars from Oman was proposed as a strategic step towards fostering stronger ties and shared research initiatives between the two countries.

Report was prepared by Mr. Abhishek Yadav, Research Analyst, MP-IDSA.