India-Oman
INS Sudarshini drops anchor in Oman — India’s grand maritime mission begins!
The Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the Port of Salalah in Oman on February 2 , marking the first international port call of her iconic transoceanic voyage, Lokayan 26.
The visit to Oman represents a significant milestone in the vessel’s ten-month-long deployment, which aims to showcase India’s rich maritime heritage while strengthening international maritime cooperation.
INS Sudarshini sailed from her home port of Kochi on January 20, 2026, navigating the seasonal winds of the Arabian Sea to complete the first leg of her voyage.
The port call highlights the deep-rooted maritime ties and robust strategic partnership between India and Oman. During the three-day visit, a series of professional exchanges and training engagements with the Royal Navy of Oman are scheduled.
According to a government statement, the ship will also be open to schoolchildren and local residents, promoting maritime awareness and enhancing people-to-people connections.
The Lokayan 26 voyage continues to serve as a symbol of India’s seafaring legacy and reflects the Indian Navy’s enduring commitment to maritime diplomacy, goodwill, and international cooperation.
India-Oman Relations
The Sultanate of Oman is a key strategic partner of India and an important interlocutor within regional platforms such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
India and Oman share longstanding ties rooted in geography, history, and culture. People-to-people exchanges between the two nations date back over 5,000 years, while formal diplomatic relations were established in 1955. Bilateral ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in November 2008.
Oman remains a central pillar of India’s West Asia policy and is regarded as India’s oldest strategic partner in the region. Political engagement between the two countries has steadily deepened, taking on a more strategic dimension over the years.
Defence cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone of the partnership. Oman is India’s closest defence partner in the Gulf region and is notably the first Gulf country with which all three branches of India’s armed forces conduct joint exercises.
Meta Title: INS Sudarshini Arrives in Oman for First International Port Call of Lokayan 26 Voyage
Meta Description: Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrives in Salalah, Oman, marking the first international port call of Lokayan 26 and strengthening India-Oman maritime ties.
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