Navy Chief arrives in Duqm, India’s outpost in Oman to counter piracy in Indian Ocean

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has arrived in Duqm, a strategic port in in southeastern Oman overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

During his visit to Duqm, Admiral Hari Kumar interacted with the crew of INS Trikand , deployed for counter-piracy operations in the region.
The visiting naval chief was also shown the Port of Duqm and the various facilities that were available there, including ship maintenance and berthing. “During his Oman visit, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar visited Duqm where he addressed the crew of INS Trikand mission deployed for anti-piracy operations in the region. He was also shown the Port of Duqm and the various facilities available for ship berthing along with ship repair & maintenance facilities there,” the Indian Navy officials were quoted as saying.

India has access to the Duqm port following an agreement signed between the two countries during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Muscat in 2018.

As a result, Indian naval ships can access the dry dock for ship repair and maintenance.

The Port of Duqm is situated on the southeastern seaboard of Oman, is strategically located, not far from Iran’s Chabahar port. It is part of network of which includes Assumption island in the  Seychelles and Agalega in Mauritius.

The port is also of geo-economic importance as  Indian companies have been invited to invest in various sectors in the special economic zones of Oman, including SEZs in Duqm, Sohar and Salalah.

In tune with the port’s importance, National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval had also visited Special Economic Zone at Duqm Duqm in June.

Coinciding with the Indian Navy Chief’s visit to Oman that began on Sunday,   INS Vishakhapatnam, the indigenous guided missile destroyer also docked at the  Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.

Also Read: NSA Doval visits strategic Duqm port in Oman as India boosts its maritime heft