New Delhi, May 18: India and Oman will hold discussions here on expanding defence cooperation, especially sale of defence equipment and on training programmes. Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith bin Nasser al-Nabhani, chief of staff Sultan's armed forces, Oman, who arrives here today on a six-day visit, will hold the discussions with senior Indian defence officials, a defence spokesman said today. Outgoing Defence Minister George Fernandes, who had visited Oman in October 2002, the first Indian defence minister to visit the sultanate, had met Oman ruler sultan Qaboos and held discussions on collaboration in defence production.
Sources said there is much scope for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector, including training and sale of equipment.


They said India has offered to help Oman train its Air Force personnel and help maintain and upgrade its fighter aircraft as part of efforts to boost defence cooperation between the two countries. The two countries had held discussions in this regard during the visit of Air Chief S Krishnaswamy to the Sultanate in January 2003.
Bureau Report