Naseem Al Bahr

WHY IN NEWS?

Two ships of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) arrived in Goa to participate in the 12th edition of the Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise 'Naseem-Al-Bahr', officials said. RNOV Al Rasikh and RNOV Khassab arrived at Mormugao Port.

ABOUT NASEEM AL BAHR

• 'Naseem-Al-Bahr' (or sea breeze) is a naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), being conducted since 1993. Indian Navy ships Beas and Subhadra are participating in it, with harbour phase in Goa followed by sea phase off the Goa coast.
• India has an ancient maritime tradition and maritime interaction with Oman dates back to over 4000 years B.C. Bilateral relation between Indian and Oman were formally established with signing of a 1953 Indo-Oman Treaty of friendship, Navigation and Commerce, a first between India and an Arab country.
• Since then, Naval exercises have contributed to strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Sultanate of Oman. The first exercise Indian Navy with Royal Navy of Oman was conducted in 1993 and this year marks 24 years of Indian Navy -Royal Navy of Oman bilateral exercises.
• The signing of an MoU on Defence Cooperation in December 2005 and subsequent establishment of the Joint Military Cooperation in March 2006 has set the foundation for increased defence cooperation. The naval cooperation between the countries has gradually increased in scope and scale.

Prelims Question

Q. 'Naseem-Al-Bahr' naval exercise which was recently in news is between India and which country?

a)Oman
b)Kazakhsthan
c)Maldives
d)Iran

Answer to the Prelims Question