INDIA-OMAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY SEMINAR

September 24, 2023

Remarks by Ambassador Amit Narang

Shri Sanjay Mehrishi, Deputy Director General (Exports) from Ministry of Defence India, 

Brigadier Ahmed Ambu Saidi, Director General (International Cooperation), MoD Sultanate of Oman, 

Distinguished guests from Omani Ministries of Defence, Fisheries, Transport Communication & IT, Sultan’s Armed Forces, Royal Oman Police and Coast Guard, Royal Guards, Sultan’s Special Forces, and esteemed participants from Oman Chamber of Commerce and Asyad Group, private companies in Oman, and participants from Indian DPSUs and private defence manufacturers,

Good morning, As Salam Waleykum, Namaskar, 

I am delighted to welcome all of you to today’s seminar, an event that seeks to broaden the scope of cooperation between India and the Sultanate of Oman to entirely new areas in tandem with the growing needs and capabilities of both sides.

I hardly need reiterate that the relations between India and Oman go back many centuries; relations that have been characterized by peaceful exchange of ideas, merchandise and culture; relations that have always been based on mutual trust and respect.

In the modern era, the two nations enjoy a special strategic partnership reflected by India's invitation to Oman as a special guest under India’s Presidency of the G20. 

The defence engagements between our two militaries are indeed very close, and through extensive interactions, training, and regular bilateral exercises, both armed forces have developed an understanding of each other’s functional procedures. It is only appropriate that this relationship be strengthened further by cooperation in defence production and procurement.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

India’s defence industry has taken massive strides in recent years and I am proud to state that we now have world-class products at a highly competitive price range. 

As brought out by the previous speakers, India’s defence exports have reached an all-time high, surging from USD 80 million in FY 2013-14 to about USD 2 billion in FY 2022-23. This remarkable 23-fold increase reflects India's progress in the global defence manufacturing sector. With exports reaching more than 85 countries, India’s defence industry has shown its capability of design and development to the world, with 100 firms exporting defence products at present.

India now exports a wide range of major platforms, and has the capability of building Aircraft Carriers and major warships indigenously. The global demand for India's indigenous products, such as the LCA-Tejas, Light Combat Helicopters, Aircraft Carriers, and MRO activities, is also on the rise.

The planned seminar today and tomorrow covers a wide range of topics related to defence hardware, security systems, cyber security, communication, and niche technologies. We have received an unprecedented response from Indian companies, reflecting the enthusiasm amongst them to partner and collaborate with Oman and to support Sultan’s Armed Forces in addressing their requirements and capability gaps. 

As part of our commitment to supporting and collaborating with our historical friends, India is ready to share its expertise and experience in the field of defence technology and production.

In that context, this Seminar gains immense importance and I also note that this is the first Seminar on Defence Industrial Collaboration between India and Sultanate of Oman. With an array of distinguished industry players from both sides and our prospective partners present here, I look forward to productive sessions that will follow.

Before I conclude, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Ministry of Defence of Oman for their efforts to encourage participation by all agencies in this Seminar. I am sanguine that towards the end of the day, our Omani friends and participants would not only gain immensely from the presentations and networking sessions, but also get acquainted with the best that India can offer in defence manufacturing and technology.

I wish constructive discussions during the seminar, productive collaborations in the coming months and fructification of the objectives set out by our leaders.

Thank you.

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