Current affairs of 9 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams
News
The Indian Navy's guided-missile destroyer INS Surat arrived in Muscat, Oman's capital, on 8 November 2026. It is taking part in the 15th edition of 'Naseem Al Bahr' (Sea Breeze), the bilateral maritime exercise with the Royal Navy of Oman, scheduled for 8–11 November. The harbour phase has cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sports events, the sea phase has joint drills, and a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies follows. The Indian Navy said the aim is to improve interoperability, share best practices and build mutual understanding between the two navies. The visit follows the 13th India–Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting held in New Delhi on 24 November 2025 and is part of India's MAHASAGAR vision.
Key facts for the exam
Point
Details
Ship
INS Surat – guided-missile destroyer
Arrival
Muscat, 8 November 2026
Exercise
Naseem Al Bahr (Sea Breeze) – 15th edition, 8–11 Nov
First held
1993
Project
Project 15B (Visakhapatnam class) – 4th and last ship
Builder / commissioned
Mazagon Dock, Mumbai / 15 Jan 2025
Other India–Oman exercises
Al Najah (Army), Eastern Bridge (Air Force)
Duqm port
Access for Indian Navy since 2018
CEPA
18 Dec 2025, Muscat; PM given 'Order of Oman'
Background
INS Surat: the fourth and last stealth destroyer of Project 15B, a follow-on to the Kolkata class. Designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai, it was commissioned on 15 January 2025 in Mumbai in the presence of the PM, together with INS Nilgiri (P-17A) and INS Vaghsheer (P-75 Scorpene submarine).
Geography: Oman lies at the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula; its capital Muscat is on the Gulf of Oman. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman's Musandam and Iran – a key route for world oil trade. Duqm port is on the Arabian Sea coast; India's Navy gained access to it during the PM's visit in February 2018.
India–Oman ties: 2025 marked 70 years of diplomatic relations. On 18 December 2025, during PM Modi's Muscat visit, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik conferred the 'Order of Oman' on him. The armies hold 'Al Najah' (5th edition: 2024, Rabkoot, Oman) and the air forces 'Eastern Bridge'.
Tamil Nadu link: There is no direct Tamil Nadu link to this news. The closest naval links: INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Ranipet district, is the Navy's premier air station; the long-range maritime reconnaissance squadron INAS 312 has been based there since 1992 and now flies the P-8I. INS Kattabomman at South Vijayanarayanam, Tirunelveli district, is the Very Low Frequency (VLF) station for communication with ships and submarines at sea (1990).
Frequently asked questions
What is this news about?
The Indian Navy's guided-missile destroyer INS Surat arrived in Muscat, Oman's capital, on 8 November 2026. It is taking part in the 15th edition of 'Naseem Al Bahr' (Sea Breeze), the bilateral maritime exercise with the Royal Navy of Oman, scheduled for 8–11 November.
What are the key facts to remember for the exam?
Ship: INS Surat – guided-missile destroyer; Arrival: Muscat, 8 November 2026; Exercise: Naseem Al Bahr (Sea Breeze) – 15th edition, 8–11 Nov; First held: 1993.
What is the background to this news?
INS Surat: the fourth and last stealth destroyer of Project 15B, a follow-on to the Kolkata class. Designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai, it was commissioned on 15 January 2025 in Mumbai in the presence of the PM, together with INS Nilgiri (P-17A) and INS Vaghsheer (P-75 Scorpene submarine).
