Muscat/New Delhi, Nov 2026 : India and Oman have commenced the 15th edition of their bilateral maritime exercise, Naseem Al Bahr, highlighting the growing strategic importance of the Arabian Sea and the western Indian Ocean for regional security, energy supplies and international trade.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Surat arrived in Muscat on November 8 to participate in the exercise alongside the Royal Navy of Oman. The programme includes a series of harbour-based and sea-based activities, followed by a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) aimed at strengthening operational coordination and maritime cooperation between the two navies.
The exercise will feature cross-deck visits, professional interactions and sporting events. These engagements will provide sailors from both countries an opportunity to exchange operational experiences, share best practices, improve interoperability and develop a deeper understanding of each other's naval capabilities.
The 15th edition of Naseem Al Bahr also aligns with India's MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — and builds on the outcomes of the 13th India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting held on November 24, 2025.
Arabian Sea critical to India's trade and energy security
The Arabian Sea and the adjoining western Indian Ocean are vital to India's economic and energy security. A significant share of the country's crude oil imports and international trade moves through these maritime routes, connecting Indian ports with the Gulf region, the Red Sea, Europe and eastern Africa.
Security disruptions caused by regional conflicts, piracy or attacks on commercial vessels can have consequences far beyond the immediate area. Such incidents can increase freight charges and insurance premiums while putting pressure on international supply chains.
The Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia are particularly important because they provide access to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The route is among the world's most significant maritime trade corridors, linking Asian markets with Europe.
Against this backdrop, the Indian Navy has maintained a continuous anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden since 2008 to protect commercial shipping and contribute to maritime security.
Indian Navy's anti-piracy and maritime security operations
India's operational role in the region was demonstrated in July 2026 when INS Trikand responded to an attempted pirate attack on the merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal, approximately 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti.
The Indian warship deployed a boarding team, supported by a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, to secure the merchant vessel and assess the situation.
The Indian Navy also launched Operation Urja Suraksha in 2026 to protect merchant shipping and safeguard India's energy interests amid deteriorating security conditions in West Asia. The operation reflected India's focus on maintaining uninterrupted maritime commerce through strategically important sea lanes.
Beyond anti-piracy deployments, the Indian Navy has contributed to multinational maritime security initiatives. Since January 2025, INS Tarkash has supported Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), operating under the 47-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
On March 31, 2025, INS Tarkash intercepted a vessel carrying more than 2,500 kg of narcotics, demonstrating India's contribution to international efforts against illicit maritime activities.
India expands multinational naval cooperation
India further strengthened its engagement with the Combined Maritime Forces by commanding Combined Task Force 154, the organisation's maritime training arm, for eight months. The Indian Navy handed over leadership in Bahrain on October 14, 2026.
During its tenure, the force oversaw training and capacity-building programmes involving naval personnel from 39 countries. The initiative contributed to strengthening regional maritime capabilities and cooperation among participating nations.
India has also expanded naval partnerships across Africa and the wider Indian Ocean region. During a visit to Maputo in March 2026, INS Trikand conducted joint exercises with the Mozambique Navy. The warship subsequently undertook joint surveillance of Mozambique's exclusive economic zone with local naval personnel embarked.
Another initiative, INS Sunayna's deployments under the IOS SAGAR programme in 2025 and 2026, highlighted India's commitment to regional maritime cooperation. The 2025 deployment involved 44 naval personnel from nine partner countries, while the 2026 mission brought together 38 personnel from 16 nations for multinational training and operational activities across the Indian Ocean.
INS Kolkata operation highlights long-range capabilities
The Indian Navy's long-range operational capabilities were demonstrated again on November 2, when INS Kolkata, supported by Indian Air Force assets, rescued all 20 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Azini after it was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The operation was conducted more than 3,000 km from Mumbai over approximately 48 hours. It involved maritime surveillance, the deployment of marine commandos and an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft that air-dropped additional personnel.
All 20 crew members were rescued safely without any casualties.
Naseem Al Bahr strengthens India-Oman strategic partnership
The latest edition of Naseem Al Bahr reflects the expanding defence and maritime partnership between India and Oman. Regular naval exercises, coordinated patrols and professional exchanges are intended to improve operational readiness and strengthen cooperation in addressing shared maritime security challenges.
For India, the partnership is particularly significant given the importance of the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean to its trade and energy requirements.
As maritime security challenges evolve, cooperation with regional partners such as Oman is becoming an important part of India's broader approach to protecting critical sea lanes, securing energy supplies and supporting stability across the Indian Ocean region.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
