Remarks by Amb Amit Narang

Vice Admiral V Srinivas, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Indian Navy,

Commodore Ali Al Balushi, Assistant COSSAF (Admin & Logistics),

Distinguished officers from the Sultan’s Armed Forces and Royal Oman Police Coast Guard,

Officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Office,

Veterans of the Indian Armed Forces,

Excellencies, Ambassadors,

Guests from the Indian community in Oman,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening, Assalam Walekum, Namaskar.

This beautiful port in Muscat is no stranger to war ships from friendly navies who often visit for Operational Turnarounds and goodwill visits. Indeed, the geographical location of this port makes it a vital part of global naval effort to keep peace and maintain security in the Western Indian Ocean.

And while several of our own naval ships also frequently visit Muscat, this combined visit by 3 of our front line ships – INS Tir (our host for this ceremony), ICG Veera which is berthed alongside, and INS Shardul – is different and imbued with a special importance. 

These 3 ships form part of the 1st Training Squadron of the Indian Navy and have embarked 90 naval cadets (including one each from Mauritius and Maldives) who are presently honing their naval skills at the Indian Naval Academy. 

We therefore have the future of Indian Navy with us today, brave young men – and women – (I am proud that we have  5 women cadets as part of this batch) who are putting on their sea legs and who in the years to come will be manning and commanding Indian naval vessels in these very waters.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Much of the rich history of relations between India and Oman centres around naval voyages to and fro in the Arabian Sea. After all, both our countries bookend the eastern and western shores of these blue waters and Indians and Omanis alike have been calling on each other’s ports for better part of 5000 years.

Today, this relationship has been transformed into a strategic partnership with strong defense cooperation that anchors it. 

The fact that the Training Squadron is making a port call at Muscat is a testament to the importance Indian Navy places on our robust and excellent naval and defence cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman. 

It is also an important occasion to shape the future of India-Oman naval collaboration.

We are grateful to the Royal Navy of Oman, the Foreign Ministry, and all other agencies that have facilitated this port visit. 

The interaction between the trainees on board our ships and their counterparts from the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy in Wudham has been particularly enriching.  They have interacted not only in professional areas but also bonded over friendly matches of football, volleyball and tug of war. [I am not at the liberty to say who won! Indeed both sides did.]

To our young cadets and sailors, this visit is more than a learning opportunity, it is an experience that showcases the responsibilities that come with wearing the Indian Navy uniform. 

You are not just representing India’s maritime strength but also our values of peace, cooperation, and respect for international law. 

You are representing India’s vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which is captured in the acronym SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region - coined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Indian Navy plays a critical role in this vision, safeguarding not only India's interests but also contributing to the broader goals of peace and stability across the region – providing security to maritime traffic, building partnerships, and addressing non-traditional security challenges like piracy, terrorism, and illegal trafficking. 

India’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific is not only about protecting our own interests but more importantly acting as a stabilizing force in an increasingly turbulent region.

Oman is India’s key strategic partner in the region. From joint exercises to coordinated patrols, our navies have worked together to ensure security in the region. 

The engagements such as the visit of ships of Indian Navy’s Training Squadron not only enhance interoperability but also strengthen the friendship between our nations.

I am confident that our partnership will only grow stronger in the years to come.

I am sanguine that the officers, men, and trainees onboard our ships would take back pleasant memories of their visit to the Sultanate of Oman. 

Before I conclude, I would once again take this opportunity to welcome you all for this reception and wish you a pleasant evening!

Thank you.

Jai Hind!

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