PM Modi Meets Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Adopt Vision Document to Expand Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik held “productive” talks on Saturday and adopted a vision document to increase bilateral cooperation in around 10 key areas and pushed for concluding a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA). The Sultan of Oman arrived in Delhi on a state visit on Friday, his first trip to India as the top leader of the Gulf nation.

The Omani leader was hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said PM Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik also discussed the Hamas-Israel conflict, terrorism as well as the need to try and achieve a two-state solution to the Palestine issue.

Addressing a media briefing, the foreign secretary noted India and Oman also signed agreements featuring cooperation in the field of information technology, combating financial crimes, culture and one for the establishment of a Hindi chair of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations in Oman.

“Today is a historic day in India-Oman relations as the Sultan of Oman is on a state visit to India after 26 years,” PM Modi said in his remarks at the delegation-level dialogue.

“Based on our successful engagements, we are creating a path of bright future today. In this joint vision, concrete action points have been agreed upon in 10 different areas. I am confident that it will give a new and modern shape to our partnership,” he added. “I am happy that the discussion on the CEPA agreement is going on and two rounds of discussion have been completed where many important issues have been agreed upon,” he added.

Describing the talks between Modi and the Omani leader as “comprehensive and constructive,” Kwatra said the India-Oman vision document focuses on building a partnership in 8-to-10 areas including maritime cooperation and connectivity, digital payments, space, green energy, tourism, agriculture, food security and cricket.

“Had an excellent meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. Reviewing the full range of bilateral ties, we discussed ways to deepen cooperation in commerce, culture, defence, innovation and more,” PM Modi later said in an X post.

“An area which featured very prominently in the talks between the two leaders was ongoing discussions between the two countries for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement,” Kwatra said.

“Although the negotiations on CEPA have started only recently, they have made substantial progress in the last few rounds of discussion and both leaders gave strong impetus and push to conclude the CEPA agreement as early as possible,” he added.

The two global leaders also discussed the possibility of Oman utilising India’s digital payment system UPI with a corresponding Omani platform, besides an exchange of views on trade in Rupee.

The two sides also announced the third instalment of Oman-India joint investment fund worth around Rs 2,500 crore) to be used for channelling investment into the fastest-growing sectors of the Indian economy.

(With PTI inputs)