India’s increasing maritime influence was underscored by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval’s recent visit to the strategic Duqm port in Oman. This visit signifies India’s ongoing interest in establishing a network of ports and freight corridors connecting Eurasia and Africa. India has invested significantly in developing Iran’s Chabahar port, strategically located in the Gulf of Oman.
During his brief visit to Oman on 26 June, NSA Doval engaged in a series of high-level meetings and discussions. Amidst these engagements, he took the opportunity to visit the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZD), situated approximately 550 kilometres away from the country’s capital, Muscat. The SEZD holds prime geographical significance as the largest zone of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, covering an area of 2,000 square kilometres. Its proximity to the Indian Ocean and global shipping lines has attracted the attention of several countries.
The SEZD encompasses multiple zones for economic, tourism, and service development. Notable features include a multi-purpose port, a dry dock for ship repairs, a fishing port, a regional airport, and tourist, industrial, and logistical areas. As NSA Doval and the Indian delegation toured the SEZD, local authorities presented various investment opportunities. These included incentives such as 100 per cent ownership, tax exemptions, promotional pricing, and preferential grace periods.
Ajit Doval and Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi during a meeting (Foreign Ministry Oman)
Ajit Doval and Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi during a meeting (Foreign Ministry Oman)
During NSA Doval’s visit, India and Oman emphasised the development of strategic relations, existing partnerships, and potential collaborations in technology, military and mining cooperation, as well as economic, investment, trade, and cultural exchanges. Oman holds strategic significance as a partner of India and serves as an important interlocutor at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
NSA Doval met with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, delivering a personal message of greetings from PM Modi. He also extensively discussed with General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani, Minister of the Royal Office, and Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
“The visit by NSA reflects the strong bilateral relationship between India and Oman, the importance of the Sultanate of Oman as a key partner for India in the Gulf, and highlights India’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Oman,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Addressing shared regional security challenges in the Indian Ocean region and promoting cooperation among maritime neighbours has been a top priority for NSA Doval. This aligns with the government’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). Last year, during the inaugural meeting of the Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG), Doval emphasised India’s need for a robust maritime system, stating that it is crucial for India to fulfil its potential as a global power.
During his visit to the country in February 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to diversify its economy. He welcomed Indian companies to invest in various sectors, including the special economic zones in Duqm, Sohar, and Salalah. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the late Sultan of Oman, briefed PM Modi on his initiative to establish strategic oil reserves in Ras Markaz near Duqm. After Sultan Qaboos’s passing in January 2020, India observed a day of state mourning and posthumously awarded him the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize for his role in shaping the special ties between the two nations.
Team BharatShakti
