December 02, 2007 (DefenceIndia News Service)

In the quest to boost the supply of spare parts for common military equipment to Oman, New Delhi is keen to enhance defence cooperation with Muscat, including stepping up its arms sales and training military personnel of the Gulf nation.

According to the news agency, , during talks between India's Defence Secretary Vijay Singh, who is currently visiting Oman, with the country's Defence Minister Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Hareb Al Busaidi, in Muscat on Sunday, the two countries agreed to boost cooperation between their armed forces including an increase in information sharing, especially between the navies.

Pointing at New Delhi's interest, a senior Indian official said that India is seeking to increase the supply of spare parts for common military equipment to Oman, which is currently very low.

Indian ambassador to Oman, Anil Wadhwa, told PTI over phone from Muscat on Monday that the talks, held as part of the joint consultative mechanism, went off well.

The Indian defence delegation also visited various Omani military bases and the talks will continue on Tuesday, Wadhwa added.

Besides, as per the media reports, the two sides also agreed on regular visits by respective service chiefs. During the meeting, the existing cooperation between the two countries in military fields were reviewed, it said.

The talks also covered training for personnel of the Omani armed forces in India.

Undersecretary at Oman's Ministry of Defence Mohammed bin Nasir Al Rasbi and Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa also attended the meeting.

Singh also met the Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Ahmed bin Harith Al Nabhani and the two exchanged views on matters of common concern.

PTI