From Indiatimes · Dhruv Yadav · · 2m
India Oman Naval Exercise Boosts Arabian Sea Security
India and Oman launch naval exercise to strengthen maritime cooperation amid rising security threats in the Arabian Sea.
In brief
India and Oman launch naval exercise to strengthen maritime cooperation amid rising security threats in the Arabian Sea. India and Oman began a bilateral naval exercise to enhance security cooperation in the Arabian Sea, aligning with regional maritime strategies and recent military coordination efforts. Originally…
India and Oman begin naval exercise
India and Oman launched the 15th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise Naseem Al Bahr on November 8, 2026.
Arabian Sea security concerns
A large share of India's crude oil imports and exports passes through the Arabian Sea and western Indian Ocean.
Exercise objectives
The exercise aims to exchange operational experience, improve interoperability, and strengthen mutual understanding between the navies.
MAHASAGAR vision
The port call aligns with India's MAHASAGAR vision for mutual and holistic advancement in security and growth across regions.
Joint military cooperation
The exercise follows the 13th meeting of the India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee held on November 24, 2025.
Arabian Sea strategic importance
The western maritime approaches connect India's ports with the Gulf, Red Sea, Europe, and east coast of Africa.
Gulf of Aden significance
The Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia provide access to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, a major shipping route between Asia and Europe.
Security threats
Any disruption from conflict, piracy, or attacks on merchant vessels can affect India's energy security and export industries.
Indian Navy's anti-piracy efforts
The Indian Navy has maintained an anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden since 2:08.
Recent pirate incident
In July 2026, INS Trikand responded to an attempted pirate attack on the merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal, 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti.
Operation Urja Suraksha
In 2026, the Navy launched Operation Urja Suraksha to protect merchant shipping and India's energy interests amid worsening security in West Asia.
Regional cooperation
INS Trikand conducted joint training with the Mozambique Navy in Maputo, Mozambique, in March 2026.
IOS SAGAR deployments
In 2025 and 2026, the Navy deployed personnel under the IOS SAGAR initiative with 44 and 38 participants from partner countries respectively.
Rescue operation
In November 2026, INS Kolkata rescued all 20 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Azini from pirates off Somalia.
The short version
India and Oman began a bilateral naval exercise to enhance security cooperation in the Arabian Sea, aligning with regional maritime strategies and recent military coordination efforts.
