OMAN-INDIA TIES, ACROSS SEA AND SPACE

The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Oman - 2018 The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2018 to the Sultanate of Oman gained great importance as it was part of efforts to consolidate bilateral relations between Oman and India in the economic, political, trade and cultural fields. The two countries agreed that the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Oman helped in further consolidating and deepening the strategic partnership framework and further development of bilateral relations in all spheres, to serve the common interests of the two countries and their peoples.

The late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, during his meeting with the visiting prime minister, appreciated the contribution of “honest and hard-working” Indian nationals in the development of Oman. During the meeting, both leaders reviewed several existing cooperative ties and deals, as well as highlighted the strength of good relations among the two nations, with further agreements set to be signed to benefit Omani and Indian citizens. The Prime Minister also met Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said and Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs, His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq al Said.

The two sides signed eight agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters. The two sides signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports and MoU on cooperation in the field of health, tourism and peaceful uses of outer space.

The two sides also signed an annexure to the MoU on military cooperation.

The two countries also signed an agreement on cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman’s Diplomatic Institute. An MoU on academic and scholarly cooperation between National Defence College, Sultanate of Oman and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, India, was also signed.

The prime minister also addressed a crowd of nearly 20,000 Indian expatriates who gathered to hear him at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat. He also visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, in addition to visiting the Shiva Temple in Muscat, one of the oldest in the region.

Before concluding the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “This Oman visit is one I will cherish for a long time to come. This visit has helped in building upon the centuries-old ties between our enterprising people, and will impart a substantial momentum to our relations in all spheres, including trade and investment relations. Thank you, Your Majesty Sultan Qaboos for your exceptional warmth, hospitality and friendship, as also your personal 160