MUSCAT, October 20 — The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) commenced the 14th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' (Sea Breeze) off the coast of Muscat, Oman on Monday.
The tactical naval deployment features frontline Indian assets including the stealth guided-missile frigate INS Trikand, INS Teg, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft operating alongside RNO corvettes and fast patrol craft. Structured into harbour professional exchanges and high-tempo sea manoeuvres, the drills incorporate live surface gunnery, boarding operations (VBSS - Visit, Board, Search and Seizure), coordinated anti-piracy patrolling, and helicopter cross-deck deck-landing qualifications.
Naval headquarters emphasized that Oman remains India's primary strategic gateway in the Gulf region, providing vital logistics access to Duqm Port. Sustained interoperability reinforces stability across crucial energy corridors transiting the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea.
The diplomatic and military lineage of Naseem Al Bahr (established in 1993), tri-services bilateral exercises with Oman (Al Najah for Army, Eastern Bridge for Air Force), the strategic importance of Duqm Port, and GCC regional dynamics represent recurrent topics in UPSC GS-II (International Relations) and CDS exams.