National Security Advisor Ajit Doval spent a day in Oman and visited the important port of Duqm, where Muscat has granted the Indian Navy access to support its presence in the Indian Ocean region.

On Monday, Doval met with Oman’s top leaders in addition to visiting the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZD), which is around 550 square kilometers away from Muscat, according to officials. SEZD covers an area of 2,000 sq km.

According to officials, the local government provided Doval with a presentation on the many prospects for investors, including the potential for 100% ownership, tax exemptions, and promotional rates with favorable grace periods. In Ras Markaz, close to Duqm, Oman plans to establish critical oil reserves.

The Gulf of Oman, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea are all visible from the Port of Duqm. In India’s marine strategy for the Indian Ocean, where China is increasing its footprint, Duqm will be a crucial component. The port can give India quick access to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aden due to its location to the northwest of the Indian Ocean.

The OIC, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association all count Oman as one of their most significant allies and as one of India’s oldest strategic partners in West Asia.

The defense cooperation between Oman and India has become a crucial tenet of their strategic alliance. Oman is an essential anchor for India’s defense and strategic interests in the Gulf and is the country’s closest defense partner. One of the main pillars of the strong India-Oman strategic partnership has evolved as defense cooperation. A framework Memorandum of Understanding, recently extended through 2021, governs defense exchanges.