The 12th meeting of the Oman-India Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) was held in Muscat Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Za’abi, Secretary General at Oman’s Ministry of Defence and Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary of the Republic of India.

During the meeting, the Committee reviewed a spectrum of topics on the agenda which contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation, especially military cooperation and exchanging expertise.

Moreover, Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Za’abi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Defence met earlier in the day with Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary of India.

During this meeting, the two sides exchanged views and explored areas of joint cooperation and means of enhancing them, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

Oman and India also signed annex (B) of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of military cooperation.

The annex was signed by Al Za’abi and Aramane. It organized areas of military cooperation in the field of purchases of defence material and equipment between the two countries.

In another development, the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) began, earlier this week, a joint annual exercise in conjunction with the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO).

The exercise, codenamed “Wiqayat Oman”, is carried out at Al Mussanah Air Base from 28 January until 7 February 2024. It is conducted in pursuance of training plans undertaken by the Ministry of Defence and the Sultan’s Armed Forces.