New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, on Thursday gave a major boost to India-Oman ties with the signing of a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the adoption of a joint vision document on maritime cooperation, marking a new phase in what both leaders described as a time-tested and multi-faceted strategic partnership.
Modi is on a two-day official visit to the Sultanate of Oman from December 17-18. The visit, at the invitation of the Sultan, coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, expressing satisfaction at the steady expansion of cooperation across trade, investment, defence, security, energy, technology, education, space, agriculture, culture and people-to-people ties. They also took stock of the progress made under the Joint Vision Document adopted during the Sultan’s visit to India in December 2023.
Both sides underlined that the relationship between the two maritime neighbours has evolved into a resilient strategic partnership, anchored in history and oriented towards the future. India expressed admiration for Oman’s economic transformation under Vision 2040, while the Sultanate commended India’s sustained growth and its goal of achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047, noting strong synergies between the two national visions.
A major highlight of the visit was the signing of the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which both leaders said would significantly deepen economic engagement by reducing trade barriers, creating a predictable framework for businesses and unlocking opportunities across key sectors. They emphasized the potential for expanding bilateral trade in textiles, automobiles, chemicals, equipment and fertilizers, and encouraged private sector participation on both sides.
The leaders also discussed boosting investment cooperation in priority areas such as infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality and food security, noting the strong track record of the Oman-India Joint Investment Fund.
Discussions also covered facilitating trade in local currencies and advancing negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty to strengthen investor confidence.
Energy cooperation featured prominently, with both sides agreeing to scale up collaboration in conventional and renewable energy, including green hydrogen and green ammonia, through joint investments and technology transfer.
PM Narendra Modi received Oman’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Oman, from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, dedicating it to the enduring India–Oman friendship as the two nations mark 70 years of diplomatic ties.
Defence and maritime security cooperation were reaffirmed through commitments to joint exercises, training and enhanced maritime domain awareness. The adoption of the Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation underscored shared interests in regional security, the blue economy and sustainable ocean governance. Several other agreements were signed during the visit, including MoUs on agriculture, higher education, maritime heritage and museums, millet cultivation, and institutional cooperation between industry bodies.
The leaders also highlighted growing collaboration in health, traditional medicine, digital technologies, space applications, culture and education, while acknowledging the vital role of the Indian community of around 675,000 people in Oman. On regional and global issues, the two sides condemned terrorism in all forms and expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, welcoming the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan and reiterating support for a just, negotiated solution.
PM Modi thanked Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for the warm hospitality and invited him to visit India at a mutually convenient time.