Indian Navy destroyer INS Surat in Oman for joint exercise Naseem Al Bahr

The Indian Navy’s destroyer INS Surat reached Muscat, Oman, on 8 November, the Ministry of Defence said. It is there for Naseem Al Bahr (“Sea Breeze”), a joint exercise with the Royal Navy of Oman now in its 15th year.

The exercise has a harbour phase and a sea phase. Sailors from both navies will visit each other’s ships, work through operations together and play sport. After the exercise, the two navies will carry out a coordinated patrol.

The ministry said the visit showed the lasting maritime partnership between the two countries. It follows the 13th meeting of their Joint Military Cooperation Committee in November 2025.

Oman sits at the mouth of the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of the world’s oil passes. The ministry linked the visit to the government’s MAHASAGAR policy for security and growth across the Indian Ocean region. It did not give dates for the two phases.