Article Posted on : - Jan 08, 2013

NEW DELHI (PTI): Seeking closer military ties with Oman, Indian Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma is on a two-day visit to the Gulf country.

During the visit, Sharma has met the top military and political leadership of Oman and discussed ways of further strengthening the military relations between the two sides, Defence Ministry officials said.

The visit assumes significance in view of efforts on part of both the countries to strengthen their defence ties as Defence Minister A K Antony had travelled to Muscat couple of years ago and his counterpart visited New Delhi in 2011.

The two sides had also decided to expand cooperation in fields ranging from maritime security and anti-piracy measures to joint training and combat exercises.

The air forces of India and Oman have also held two rounds of Exercise Eastern Bridge of which the second edition was held at Jamnagar air base in Gujarat in 2011 involving their Jaguar deep penetration strike fighter aircraft.

The two air forces are among the main users of the twin- engine Anglo-French warplanes.

Both also operate British-made Hawk advanced jet trainers and follow similar training procedures. The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) fighter pilots have also been training at the Jaguars stimulator training centre at Gorakhpur, India.

Oman is geographically India's closest ally among the Arab countries in the strategically vital Persian Gulf region.