PM Modi Meets Oman Sultan, Ties Get Fresh Momentum
India, Oman sign CEPA and multiple MoUs as leaders review 70 years of diplomatic relations
- PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in Muscat
- CEPA signed, bilateral trade crosses $10 billion
- Focus on energy, defence, digital payments, agriculture and people-to-people ties
- Multiple MoUs signed in maritime heritage, education and agriculture
GG News Bureau
Muscat, 18th Dec: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a bilateral meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in Muscat, marking a key moment in India–Oman relations as the two nations celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties.
The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Royal Palace and held discussions with the Omani ruler in both one-on-one and delegation-level formats. The leaders comprehensively reviewed the India–Oman Strategic Partnership and welcomed the steady expansion of cooperation across sectors.
Both sides hailed the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a landmark development, stating that it would significantly boost bilateral trade, investment and job creation. Expressing satisfaction that bilateral trade has crossed USD 10 billion, PM Modi said CEPA would unlock a wide range of new economic opportunities for both countries.
The leaders discussed giving a fresh push to energy cooperation, including long-term energy arrangements, renewable energy projects, green hydrogen and green ammonia. PM Modi appreciated Oman’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance and invited it to participate in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
Agriculture cooperation featured prominently, with discussions on agricultural science, animal husbandry, aquaculture and millet cultivation. Education ties were also highlighted, with both leaders noting that faculty and researcher exchanges would be mutually beneficial.
The talks covered cooperation in food security, manufacturing, digital technologies, critical minerals, logistics, space cooperation and human-capital development. In the financial sector, discussions included linking UPI with Oman’s digital payment systems, RuPay card adoption and promoting trade in local currencies.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing defence and maritime security cooperation. PM Modi thanked the Sultan for his support towards the welfare of the Indian community in Oman and said new initiatives in maritime heritage, language promotion, youth exchanges and sports would further deepen people-to-people ties.
They also welcomed the alignment between Oman Vision 2040 and India’s goal of becoming a developed nation, Viksit Bharat, by 2047, and exchanged views on regional and global developments, reiterating their commitment to peace and stability.
Along with CEPA, the two sides signed several MoUs and arrangements in the fields of maritime heritage, education, agriculture and millet cultivation.
