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The strategic reachout to the Gulf countries has been one of the Narendra Modi government's boldest diplomatic initiatives.
Following up on the strategic partnership signed during the UAE crown prince's Republic Day visit to Delhi, India is now sending its Navy chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba, to the UAE to find ways of joining hands on maritime security.
The admiral will leave tomorrow for the UAE and from there fly to Oman on Wednesday. In the UAE, he will meet Minister of State for Defence Mohammed bin Ahmad al Bowardi; Lt.-Gen Hamad Mohammed al Rumathi, the chief of staff of the UAE armed forces; and Rear Adm. Ibrahim Salim Mohamed al Musharrakh, commander of the UAE Navy. There will also be visits to naval stations and academies.
In Oman, the admiral will meet Minister Bader bin Saud al Busaidi, and also the chiefs of the three services.
The strategic reachout to the Gulf countries has been one of the Narendra Modi government's boldest diplomatic initiatives which matured a year ago when the two countries agreed to cooperate in defence training and exercises. Within about four months, a 10-day air exercise, called ‘Desert Eagle II’, was held, and then began the cooperation on the maritime front.
Both countries have been comparing notes on their approaches towards terrorism . Just about two weeks prior to the crown prince's visit as India's Republic Day guest, five UAE diplomats were assassinated in Kandahar, Afghanistan. That was the first instance of the UAE diplomats becoming terrorist targets on foreign soil, and naturally the suspicion fell on Pakistan-sponsored groups. Pakistan has been viewing India's growing strategic ties with the Islamic countries of the Gulf with much discomfiture.
Yet the UAE agreed to continue with the strategic dialogue which was held within days of the attack.
Oman is an older strategic friend, which Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar visited in May last year. India has even been exploring ways to export military ware to Oman, and also set up military production facilities. In fact, Parrikar was accompanied during that visit by Lanba, who was then chief of the Navy's Mumbai-based western command.
Oman has given berthing rights to Indian Navy vessels, which have been used for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. In addition the Indian Air Force has been holding joint exercises with Omani Air Force.
