In a major outreach to Western Indian Ocean New Delhi is a maritime support base in Duqm port in Oman and is preparing to support close ally Mauritius by establishing an air support facility in north Agalega Islands. Mauritius neighbour Seychelles has sought to widen its ties with UAE with President Wavel Ramkalawan holding discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, in New York. In an interesting development Russian NSA travelled to Muscat to meet top leadership and focus was on energy projects among other issues. Interestingly Indian Ocean Region state of Tanzania suddenly stopped all flights to China without citing any reasons. Mozambique has sought additional US support to fight terror.
India extends its sea legs to Oman and Mauritius to monitor Indian Ocean Region
Hindustan Times, September 22, 2023
India has extended its sea legs by establishing a maritime support base in Duqm port in Oman and is preparing to support close ally Mauritius by establishing an air support facility in north Agalega Islands, south of Seychelles – both moves aimed at improving maritime domain awareness and coastal security of friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), especially in the face of Beijing’s growing presence in the region.
Seychelles News Agency, September 25, 2023
Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan held discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, in New York on Sunday (Sep 24). President Ramkalawan is in New York for the 78th Session of United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release from State House, President Ramkalawan and Sheikh Nahyan Al Nahyan spoke about the ways that Seychelles and the UAE “can continue to foster and develop mutual relations, whilst continuing to strengthen cooperation in various fields, and supporting the common interests of both peoples.”
Air Tanzania suspends flights to China
The Citizen, September 22, 2023
National Carrier Air Tanzania has suspended all its flights to China within months of reviving it. There was no reason given for this suspension.
Mozambique: President calls for more U.S. support for forces on the ground in Cabo Delgado
Club of Mozambique, September 21, 2023
The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, asked in Washington on Thursday (Sep 21) for “more support” from the United States of America for the Mozambican military and the forces of other countries fighting terrorism in the province of Cabo Delgado. The conflict in northern Mozambique has already displaced one million people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and cost 4,000 lives, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.
Royal Office Minister receives Secretary of Russia’s Security Council
Times of Oman September 25, 2023
Gen. Sultan Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office received in his office today (Sep 25) Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and his accompanying delegation. The meeting came within the framework of the attention accorded by the Sultanate of Oman to recent regional and international issues. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the march of relations between Oman and Russia in various fields and means of promoting them to achieve joint interests. They also discussed several matters of mutual concern.