New Delhi, Dec 27 (IANS) – Oman’s Duqm port is broadening India’s maritime options beyond Iran’s Chabahar facility, a media source told The National Interest.
Unlike Chabahar, Duqm sits outside the Strait of Hormuz, letting India sidestep “diplomatic volatility, sanctions risk, and legal uncertainty,” the outlet noted.
The move toward Duqm has been gradual, driven by renewed sanctions enforcement, tighter global‑financial‑centre compliance standards, and India’s goal of avoiding over‑reliance on any one port.
While Chabahar will not be abandoned, Duqm’s geographic advantage expands India’s choices. “India is ensuring that its access to the western Indian Ocean does not depend on a single partner or a single political environment,” the report said.
The adjustment is described as “incremental,” reshaping how Iran fits into India’s long‑term strategy. Chabahar retains its importance for continental access, but India no longer sees it as leverage.
The growing preference for Duqm could help India counter Pakistan’s influence in the Indian Ocean. “Duqm does not place Indian vessels inside Pakistan’s maritime space, but it shortens logistical distances and reduces the need for Indian improvisation during extended deployments,” the report added.
Oman has opened Duqm to multiple international partners, underscoring Muscat’s commitment to strategic autonomy. The port serves primarily as infrastructure, the analysis said: “Duqm’s development reflects economic necessity rather than geopolitical ambition. After several difficult fiscal years, Oman positioned the port and its surrounding industrial zone at the heart of its diversification strategy, seeking long‑term partners without political conditionality.”
India fits that model, the report concluded, offering predictable engagement without forcing Oman into a specific strategic alignment.
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