INS Ranvijay, a frontline destroyer of the Indian Navy, made a port call at Salalah, Oman on 29 September 2026 as part of an ongoing operational deployment, reinforcing the enduring maritime partnership between India and Oman. The visit included joint professional engagements and a passage exercise that underlined the depth of bilateral naval cooperation.

Key Engagements at Salalah

During the port call, the Commanding Officer of INS Ranvijay called on the Southern Naval Area Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) Commander. Professional interactions were held between INS Ranvijay and RNOV Sadh, an Omani naval vessel. A bilateral PASSEX (Passing Exercise) was also conducted off the coast of Salalah between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.

'The port call witnessed professional engagements between RNOV Sadh and INS Ranvijay. An IN-RNO PASSEX was also conducted off Salalah. The engagements underscored enduring India-Oman friendship and maritime ties,' the Indian Navy stated on X.

NDC Delegation Visit Earlier This Month

The naval port call follows a high-level defence delegation visit to Oman earlier in September. A delegation from India's National Defence College (NDC), headed by Air Vice Marshal Manish Vasantkumar Patel, Senior Directing Staff (Air), concluded a Strategic Neighbourhood Study Tour to Muscat. The delegation interacted with senior Omani military and civilian leadership across multiple institutions.

On 3 September, the Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed that the NDC delegation met Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces, where views on mutual security interests within the framework of India-Oman bilateral defence cooperation were exchanged. The delegation also visited Majlis A'Dawla and Majlis A'Shura, engaging with members of the Oman Council.

Broader Diplomatic and Strategic Ties

Other engagements during the NDC visit included meetings with the Diplomatic Academy of Oman and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones. The delegation was also briefed aboard the Shabab Oman II ship on its civilisational, cultural, and diplomatic roles. The Indian Embassy described the exchanges as 'fruitful', noting that the visit 'fostered their shared and enduring commitment to peace, prosperity and regional stability.'

Why This Matters for India-Oman Relations

India and Oman share a long history of maritime engagement, with Oman occupying a strategically significant position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Notably, INS Ranvijay's call at Salalah — a key port on the Arabian Sea — comes at a time when India has been actively deepening bilateral ties across the Gulf region. This is consistent with India's broader Indian Ocean security strategy, which emphasises presence, partnership, and interoperability with friendly navies. The PASSEX exercise, while routine in nature, signals a continued operational dimension to what is primarily a diplomatic relationship.