Leaders of India and Oman at the end of talks adopted a new ‘India-Oman joint vision, a partnership for future’ under which both countries will work in ten different areas.
During the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik in New Delhi, the focus was on deepening cooperation in various sectors including maritime security, trade and investment space cooperation, agriculture and food and energy security.
On Saturday, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, in New Delhi said: “Today we are adopting a new India-Oman joint vision, a partnership for the future. In this joint vision, concrete action points have been agreed upon in ten different areas. I am confident that the joint vision will give a new and modern shape to our partnership.”
Both leaders also discussed the CEPA agreement for which two rounds of negotiations have already taken place and several important issues have been completed successfully. The Prime Minister in his address expressed hope that the agreement will be signed soon as that will add a new dimension to the economic co-operation between the two countries.
Historic Visit
PM Modi termed the Sultan’s visit as `historic’. The state visit of the Sultan comes after 26 years.
T-20I
He congratulated Oman for qualifying for the T20I cricket World Cup. This will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the US in 2024.
Special MEA Briefing by Foreign Secretary
Speaking about the visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “The PM has just concluded his talks with the head of the state, the Sultanate of Oman, his majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who is currently on a state visit to India. His majesty is accompanied on this visit by a very high-level delegation comprising of his deputy PM for Defence, seven Cabinet ministers and three vice ministers.”
He mentioned that both leaders expressed worries about terrorism and explored potential collaboration in maritime activities, space ventures, and securing energy, especially green energy.
The discussions encompassed various aspects of bilateral involvement, covering maritime collaboration, trade, investment, and exploration in emerging areas like space and financial technology.
“They also talked about potential cooperation in energy security, focusing on green energy, and explored opportunities to enhance people-to-people connections, including through the widely enjoyed game of cricket in both nations,” he included. He highlighted that PM Modi and the Sultan of Oman shared views on regional and global matters during their exchange.
Significant outcomes from the discussion
The leaders embraced the India Oman Joint Vision Partnership, charting a course rooted in Oman Vision 2040 and India’s Amrit Kaal vision.
This blueprint outlines collaboration in eight to ten areas, including maritime cooperation, connectivity, space, energy security, and green energy.The focus spans maritime cooperation, energy security (especially green hydrogen), digital payments, fintech, health, tourism, and hospitality. The two leaders talked about disaster management, agriculture, food security, and cricket.The cooperation in clean energy will also focus on green hydrogen.
The ongoing discussions related to CEPA featured prominently between the two leaders, said the foreign secretary.
According to the FS, besides an exchange on views on trade in Indian rupees, PM Modi and the visiting Sultan of Oman talked about the possibility of Oman utilising India’s digital payment system UPI with a corresponding Omani platform.
Was the situation in West Asia discussed?
Yes. To a question, Kwatra said the challenges arising out of the conflict in Gaza were definitely an important element of discussions.
“There was a shared appreciation of the continuing challenge that both countries face from the emerging multiple dimensions of the conflict, including the catastrophic humanitarian situation which is there,” Kwatra said on the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Also, the challenge of terrorism and the larger need to try and achieve a two-state solution as a way forward was discussed.
“With regard to the situation there, it was discussed and both leaders exchanged in detail their perspective of the situation there,” he said.
Bilateral Relations between the two countries
India and the Gulf nation are strategic partners and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two nations has been on an upswing in the last few years.
Diplomatic ties started between these nations in 1955, evolving into a robust strategic alliance by 2008. Oman holds a unique status as India’s foremost defence ally in the Gulf, fostering a pivotal partnership marked by defence collaboration.
As has been reported previously, Oman stands alone in West Asia, engaging in routine bilateral exercises and staff-level discussions with all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
Demonstrating the strength of this bond, Oman received a special invitation from India to participate in the G20 Summit during India’s presidency, contributing actively to over 150 working group sessions and multiple G20 ministerial meetings.
More about the visit
The visiting Sultan after meeting with Prime Minister Modi went to the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi.
Earlier, on Saturday, PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmu received the Sultan at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and he was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
On December 15, the Sultan of Oman arrived at the Delhi airport and was received by the Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State V Muraleedhraran, and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were also present in the meeting.