Top UPSC Coaching

25 Feb 2022 Eastern Bridge VI: Exercises

Posted at 12:14h in Daily current-affairs by khyati khare 0 Comments

0 Likes

Recently, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman started a five-day bilateral exercise at Jodhpur Air Force Station. The exercise has been named Eastern Bridge VI.
The exercise will enhance interaction, exchange of experiences and operational knowledge, besides strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
Exercise Eastern Bridge V was conducted in October 2019 at Air Force Base Masirah, Oman.

Oman is India’s closest defense partner in the Gulf region and is vital to India’s defense and strategic interests.
Oman is at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz through which India imports a fifth of its oil imports.
Defense cooperation has emerged as a key pillar for a strong India-Oman strategic partnership. Defense exchanges are guided by a framework MoU which was recently renewed in the year 2021.
Oman is the only country in the Gulf region with which the three forces of the Indian Armed Forces regularly conduct bilateral exercises and staff talks, thereby establishing close professional cooperation and trust between the two countries. Tody Current Affairs.
Naseem al-Bahr is a naval exercise conducted between the two countries.
Al Nagah is a joint exercise between the armies of two countries.
Eastern Bridge is a joint exercise between the Air Forces of both the countries.
Oman also provides vital operational support to the Indian Navy’s deployment in the Arabian Sea for anti-piracy operations.
Oman has also been actively participating in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
India has supplied rifles to Oman. Along with this, India is also considering setting up a defense production unit in Oman.

As a strategic move to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean region, India has gained access to the major port of Duqam in Oman for military use and military support.
The move is part of India’s maritime strategy to counter Chinese influence and activities in the region.
Duqm port is located on the southeast coast of Oman. Today Current Affairs.
It is strategically located near Chabahar port in Iran. With Assumption Island being developed at Agalega in Seychelles and Mauritius, Ducam fits well into India’s active maritime security roadmap.