India-Oman: Strategic Partnership Gains Momentum

The India-Oman Strategic Partnership reached a historic milestone as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid an Official Visit to the Sultanate of Oman from December 17–18, 2025, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The visit, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two maritime neighbours, reaffirmed the depth, resilience, and future-oriented vision of one of the Indian Ocean region’s most enduring partnerships.

Prime Minister Modi was received on arrival by His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, and accorded a ceremonial welcome reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties. On December 18, the Prime Minister was formally received by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at Al Baraka Palace, where the two leaders held wide-ranging consultations covering political, economic, strategic, and people-centric cooperation.

India-Oman: A Relationship Rooted in History, Oriented to the Future

Both leaders expressed deep satisfaction with the exceptional state of bilateral relations, noting that Oman–India ties have stood the test of centuries and evolved into a comprehensive, multifaceted strategic partnership. The visit followed the State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India in December 2023, during which a Joint Vision Document laid the foundation for enhanced cooperation.

The leaders reviewed progress under this Joint Vision and agreed that the synergy between Oman Vision 2040 and India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat 2047 creates powerful opportunities for shared growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

Trade, Investment, and CEPA: A Defining Breakthrough

Trade and commerce emerged as a central pillar of the discussions, with both sides underscoring vast untapped potential. Textiles, automobiles, chemicals, equipment, fertilizers, and emerging industrial sectors were identified as priority areas for diversification.

A major highlight of the visit was the signing of the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Described as a transformational milestone, CEPA is expected to reduce trade barriers, create a stable regulatory framework, boost bilateral trade volumes, attract investment, generate employment, and unlock opportunities across key sectors of both economies. Leaders encouraged businesses from both nations to fully leverage the agreement.

India-Oman: Investment, Energy, and Sustainable Growth

Recognizing India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and Oman’s success in economic diversification, both sides agreed to explore investment opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, logistics, food security, and hospitality. The Oman–India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) was acknowledged as a proven platform with strong future potential.

In the energy sector, leaders expressed satisfaction with existing cooperation and highlighted opportunities in upstream exploration, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and green ammonia. Joint investments, technology transfer, and long-term collaboration were proposed to align with both nations’ sustainability goals.

Defence, Maritime Security, and Regional Stability

Defence and security cooperation featured prominently, with both sides agreeing to deepen collaboration through joint exercises, training, high-level exchanges, and information sharing. Special emphasis was placed on maritime security, counter-piracy measures, and maritime domain awareness to ensure stability in the Indian Ocean region.

A Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation was adopted during the visit, underscoring shared commitments to regional security, the blue economy, and sustainable use of ocean resources.

Health, Agriculture, Technology, and Education

Health cooperation was reaffirmed as a key pillar, alongside discussions on establishing an AYUSH Chair and information cell in Oman to promote traditional medicine collaboration. Agricultural ties were strengthened through the signing of an MoU covering agricultural science, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and millet cultivation, supported by training and scientific exchanges.

The two sides also noted expanding cooperation in IT services, digital infrastructure, space applications, and higher education. The MoU on Higher Education is expected to facilitate faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and institutional partnerships, supported by capacity-building initiatives under the ITEC programme.

Culture, Heritage, and People-to-People Bonds

Cultural and people-to-people ties received renewed emphasis. The leaders welcomed initiatives such as the joint exhibition “Legacy of Indo-Oman Relations”, cooperation on cultural digitization, the ICCR Chair of Indian Studies at Sohar University, and the MoU on Maritime Heritage and Museums. The upcoming maiden voyage of INSV Kaundinya to Oman was highlighted as a symbol of shared maritime heritage.

India conveyed heartfelt appreciation for Oman’s care of its vibrant Indian community of around 675,000 people, while Oman acknowledged the diaspora’s significant contribution to national development.

Regional and Global Issues

The leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments, strongly condemning terrorism in all its forms. They expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, welcomed the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan, and reiterated support for a just, lasting solution through dialogue, diplomacy, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.

India-Oman: Agreements Signed

Several key agreements and MoUs were signed during the visit, including:

• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

• MoU on Maritime Heritage and Museums

• MoU on Agriculture and Allied Sectors

• MoU on Higher Education

• MoU between Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry and CII

• Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation

• Executive Programme on Millet Cultivation and Agri-Food Innovation