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    India eyes role for itself at Oman's strategic Duqm port

    Synopsis

    The Sultanate of Oman is currently developing Duqm port along with Special Economic Zone as a regional economic hub.

    ET Bureau
    NEW DELHI: After securing its presence in Iran's Chabahar port key gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, India is now eyeing for a role at Oman's strategically located Duqm Port that will enable Delhi to expand its economic presence in the hydrocarbon rich West Asia and allow Indian Navy greater role in the region.

    The Sultanate of Oman is currently developing Duqm port along with Special Economic Zone as a regional economic hub. People familiar with the developments indicated to ET that India has shown interest to participate in the Duqm port complex. This will give India greater access to West Asia where it has stepped up strategic and economic engagements during the past 10 months.

    Delhi also hopes to establish a link between Duqm and Chabahar ports in future in what could be connectivity and energy corridors given good political relations between Iran and Oman. There are indications that India could be keen to set up a fertilizer plant in Oman given the presence of gas in Oman. India along with Oman could also eye joint venture projects in Iran's infrastructure and energy sectors. Besides, the Modi government is eyeing deeper security partnerships across that region and Oman has been the oldest defence partners for India in West Asia. Last month when Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar visited Oman the two countries agreed to work together on boosting defense, crime prevention at sea, maritime issues and a flight safety information exchange. The two sides will also explore the possibility of India exporting weapons to Oman, which could also include setting up defense production facilities there.

    Oman is the first country in the gulf region to procure the Indian small arms system (INSAS), built by the state-run Ordnance Factory Board. India's state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited has delivered three tugboats to Oman and additional orders are expected, the MoD official said. Oman has given berthing rights to Indian Navy vessels, which have been used for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. In addition the Indian Air Force has been holding joint exercises.

    Port of Duqm is situated on the southeastern seaboard of Oman, overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. A Special Economic Zone is envisioned at Duqm. The port aims to leverage its geographical location at the crossroads of international East-West shipping routes, as well as its proximity to sea lanes entering and exiting the Arabian Gulf. In fact, Oman – and Duqm in particular – finds itself bang in the middle of international shipping lanes linking the key production markets of the East with the consumer markets of the West.

    Additionally, there are the booming markets of the Indian sub-continent and East Africa that also fall within Duqm’s convenient reach. Most of the ports on the west coast of India and east coast of Africa suffer perennial congestion problems, thereby opening up opportunities for Duqm as a transshipment centre catering to these markets.

    Duqm will be connected to the Oman National Railway network during the first phase of its implementation. Connectivity with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-wide rail network will be ensured through the construction of a link between Sohar and Al Ain in neighbouring United Arab Emirates, according to information provided by the Duqm port authorities. The high-speed, double track rail system will allow for the speedy transportation of containers, bulk commodities, and other general cargoes, to and from Duqm.

    Underscoring Port of Duqm’s strategic importance is its planned development into an integrated, multimodal logistics hub, encompassing the maritime, road, air and rail modes of transportation, according to port authorities. An airport is under construction at Duqm, while a proposed rail-based freight and passenger transportation network, will eventually link this industrial port city with the national rail system.


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