PM Modi Strengthens India-Oman Ties in Muscat: CEPA Signed, Awards Conferred, Innovation Hubs Proposed in Historic 70-Year Milestone Visit

New Delhi (India) December 18: Oman welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. Both countries were also celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations and this visit highlighted how important it is for India and Oman to strengthen their ties to one another in order to work towards achieving mutual objectives.

Royal Honor and Friendly Reception

During the visit to Oman, Prime Minister Modi met His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who thanked Prime Minister Modi for his excellent leadership and awarded Prime Minister Modi the “Order of Oman”.

The closeness of the two countries is in evidence through the friendly and sincere way that His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik met Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival. Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister of Defence Affairs was there to greet Prime Minister Modi when he arrived.

“Landed in Muscat, Oman. This is a land of enduring friendship and deep historical connections with India. This visit offers an opportunity to explore new avenues of collaboration and add fresh momentum to our partnership,” Modi posted on social media platform X.

CEPA Signing Boosts Economic Partnership

On his visit, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed by both Nations, providing the opportunity to develop and trade economically across various sectors for both parties. Furthermore, the signing of the CEPA will provide for the increased growth of Trade, in the expansion of the Strategic Partnership between India and Oman. 

In addition to the CEPA, there were 6 other agreements and MOU's signed during the Prime Minister's visit with the fields of Maritime Cooperation, Education, Agricultural, and Millet Cultivation with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Oman and the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Business Forum Spotlights Trade and Innovation

In Muscat, addressing the India-Oman Business Forum. There Modi spoke about the centuries-old maritime trade between India and Oman. He also referred to strong commercial connections between Mandvi and Muscat. The forum connected business leaders of both countries from all sectors of the economy_ energy, agriculture, logistics, etc_ and, more importantly, included other types of services – infrastructure, health care, and financial services.

Prime Minister Modi urged Oman and its businesses to expand into additional sectors such as green energy, solar parks, agri-tech, fintech, and artificial intelligence. He also suggested that the two countries work together to create a formal joint “India-Oman Agri Innovation Hub,” and an “India-Oman Innovation Bridge” to help facilitate and further strengthen new innovative ventures together, through collaboration.

Diaspora Engagement in Oman

Following‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ a successful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Oman, he made a significant milestone of Indian schools in Oman, by meeting with more than 700 Indian school students and their community members in the Muscat area.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed to the Indian diaspora that it is very important to keep a variety of viewpoints among the Indian community and also to represent the promotion of co-existence and collaboration. 

Joint Stance on Global Issues

Both‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in every aspect, and they shared the view that not even a single argument or justification could be employed to legitimize terrorist acts. The pair of nations conveyed the resolve to work together in this matter in the future.

Moreover, they did express their worries about the Gaza humanitarian crisis and called for the safe and rapid provision of any necessary humanitarian aid to the civilian population of that ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌area.