Oman, India to expand partnership

The visit of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, comes in recognition of the growing strategic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and India, and as per the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. A joint statement issued on the official visit of the Indian Prime Minister (February 11-12) pointed out that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos received Narendra Modi on February 11 at Bait Al Barakah. His Majesty hosted a dinner in honour of the Indian Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation. The statement added that His Majesty the Sultan and the Indian Prime Minister exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest. The discussions were held in cordial and friendly atmosphere.
The two sides stressed that India and Oman, as maritime neighbours across the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, have enjoyed close and deeply rooted historical relations.
They noted that the historically close bilateral ties, involving vibrant maritime trade and cultural exchanges, have expanded into strategic partnership based on trust and mutual respect.

The statement further said that the Indian Prime Minister also received His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, and His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Tareq al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the current state of bilateral relations, especially the robust security and defence cooperation, and agreed to further expand their cooperation to new areas of mutual interest, including space, cyber security, energy security, renewable energy and food security etc., with a view to take the strategic partnership to a higher level.
The two sides welcomed the signing of various agreements and MoUs during the visit, which would further consolidate and expand the ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The two sides reiterated the importance of regular bilateral dialogue through exchange of visits, at the level of senior officials.
They expressed appreciation for the well-functioning bilateral institutional mechanisms in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment, agriculture, education, culture, manpower etc., already in place with a view to tap the existing potential for cooperation in these areas.

They noted that new and potential areas of cooperation identified during the meetings held under these mechanisms have contributed in expanding bilateral ties and called for effective implementation of the decisions made under the framework of these mechanisms.
Combatting Terrorism
The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, including the security situation in West Asia, Middle East and South Asia.
The fruitful and productive discussions enabled the two sides to better understand and appreciate each other’s concerns and perspectives, recognising the close inter-linkage of the stability and security of the Gulf region with the Indian subcontinent.
The statement pointed out that the two sides acknowledged the common threat posed by terrorism to peace and security and agreed to continue working together bilaterally, regionally and globally to counter this menace.
They reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever, and declared that there could be no justification for any act of terrorism anywhere.
The two sides also emphasised upon the need to isolate the sponsors and supporters of terrorism and agreed that the international community should take urgent action against all such entities, which support terrorism and use it as an instrument of policy.

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