India-Oman 8th Navy Staff Talks held in New Delhi to boost maritime security
Synopsis
India and Oman wrapped up their 8th Navy Staff Talks in New Delhi — a sign of how structured this bilateral maritime relationship has become. With operational engagements, hydrographic cooperation, and training on the table, and INS Sudarshini having just completed a port call at Salalah under Lokayan-2026, the India-Oman naval axis is quietly becoming one of the most active in the Indian Ocean Region.
Key Takeaways
India and Oman held the 8th Navy Staff Talks in New Delhi from 27 to 28 October 2026 .
Talks were co-chaired by Commodore Kartik Srimal (Indian Navy) and Commodore Ahmed Juma Salim Al Khatri (Royal Navy of Oman).
Discussions covered operational engagements, training, information sharing, hydrographic cooperation, and interoperability.
INS Sudarshini completed a four-day port call at Salalah, Oman from 14 to 17 October under the Lokayan-2026 deployment, now in its tenth month .
Over 500 members of the Indian diaspora, including students from Indian School Salalah , were welcomed aboard INS Sudarshini.
India and Oman concluded the 8th edition of their Navy Staff Talks in New Delhi on 28 October 2026, with both sides focusing on deepening bilateral naval cooperation and strengthening coordination to tackle shared maritime security challenges, the Indian Navy confirmed on Thursday.
Key Developments
The two-day talks, held from 27 to 28 October, were co-chaired by Commodore Kartik Srimal, Commodore (Foreign Cooperation), Indian Navy, and Commodore Ahmed Juma Salim Al Khatri, Director General of Operations and Plans, Royal Navy of Oman. Discussions covered operational engagements, training programmes, information exchange, hydrographic cooperation, and steps to enhance interoperability between the two navies.
The Indian Navy posted on X: 'Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman held the 8th edition of Staff Talks at New Delhi from 27–28 Oct 26. Co-chaired by Cmde Kartik Srimal, Cmde (FC), and Cmde Ahmed Juma Salim Al Khatri, DG Ops & Plan, the talks focused on enhancing operational engagements, training, information sharing and hydrographic cooperation, with an emphasis on strengthening interoperability and addressing shared maritime security challenges.'
INS Sudarshini's Salalah Port Call
The talks come on the heels of a significant maritime outreach event. Earlier this month, the Indian Navy's three-masted sail training ship INS Sudarshini completed a four-day port call at Salalah, Oman, from 14 to 17 October, as part of its ongoing transoceanic deployment Lokayan-2026, according to the Ministry of Defence. Professional interactions and sporting engagements with the Royal Navy of Oman during the visit were aimed at fostering camaraderie and strengthening people-to-people ties.
During the Salalah stopover, INS Sudarshini welcomed over 500 members of the Indian diaspora on board, including children and teachers from Indian School Salalah. The Indian Embassy in Muscat noted that the crew introduced visitors to life aboard a sail ship and shared experiences from the ongoing transoceanic expedition.
The Lokayan-2026 Mission
Now in its tenth month, Lokayan-2026 has been designed to showcase the Indian Navy's maritime heritage and its commitment to nurturing seamanship, resilience, and leadership among naval trainees. The Ministry of Defence described INS Sudarshini as 'an ambassador of India, fostering goodwill and maritime partnerships while carrying the civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and advancing the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).'
Why It Matters
This is the 8th such bilateral naval engagement between India and Oman, reflecting a steadily institutionalised defence relationship in the Indian Ocean Region. Oman's strategic position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf makes it a key partner for India's maritime security architecture, particularly amid heightened concerns over sea-lane safety and regional stability. This comes amid India's broader push to deepen naval partnerships with Gulf nations under its MAHASAGAR framework.
With the Navy Staff Talks now concluded, both sides are expected to follow up on agreed cooperation roadmaps, while INS Sudarshini continues her transoceanic voyage carrying India's maritime diplomacy to further shores.
Point of View
Particularly as Gulf maritime lanes face recurring instability. The MAHASAGAR framing is doing useful diplomatic work, but the real test is whether information-sharing and hydrographic cooperation translate into actual interoperability during a crisis. Bilateral naval talks are only as valuable as the protocols they produce.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the India-Oman Navy Staff Talks about?
The 8th edition of the India-Oman Navy Staff Talks, held in New Delhi from 27 to 28 October 2026, focused on deepening bilateral naval cooperation, including operational engagements, training, information exchange, hydrographic cooperation, and enhancing interoperability to address shared maritime security challenges.
Who co-chaired the 8th India-Oman Navy Staff Talks?
The talks were co-chaired by Commodore Kartik Srimal, Commodore (Foreign Cooperation) of the Indian Navy, and Commodore Ahmed Juma Salim Al Khatri, Director General of Operations and Plans of the Royal Navy of Oman.
What is Lokayan-2026 and how does it relate to Oman?
Lokayan-2026 is a transoceanic deployment by the Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini, now in its tenth month. The ship made a four-day port call at Salalah, Oman from 14 to 17 October 2026, conducting professional and sporting engagements with the Royal Navy of Oman and hosting over 500 members of the Indian diaspora on board.
Why is India's naval relationship with Oman strategically significant?
Oman occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, making it a critical partner for India's maritime security architecture in the Indian Ocean Region. Regular Navy Staff Talks and deployments like Lokayan-2026 help institutionalise cooperation on sea-lane safety, training, and crisis coordination.
What is the MAHASAGAR framework mentioned in the talks?
MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — an Indian Navy vision that frames maritime partnerships with regional nations as a vehicle for collective security and growth. INS Sudarshini's Lokayan-2026 voyage is cited as an embodiment of this vision alongside the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
