India–Oman Relations: More than a Routine Diplomatic Visit
Context
-
PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Oman (Dec 17, 2025) as part of a three-nation tour (Jordan, Oman, Ethiopia).
-
Coincides with:
-
70 years of India–Oman diplomatic relations
-
Regional instability post Gaza ceasefire
-
Global tariff wars, energy transition, connectivity corridors
-
-
Modi’s second visit (first in 2018).
-
Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik visited India in Dec 2023.
Strategic Importance of Oman for India
(a) Balancing Power & Trusted Partner
-
Oman follows a foreign policy of:
-
Moderation
-
Mediation
-
Deliberate neutrality
-
-
Historically:
-
Maintained close ties with India even when Gulf states were Pakistan-leaning.
-
-
Acts as a stabilising force in a conflict-prone West Asia.
Strategic Partnership Framework
-
Strategic Partnership Agreement: Signed in 2008
-
Oman was a G-20 guest country during India’s 2023 Presidency.
-
A key pillar of India’s West Asia Policy.
Defence & Security Cooperation
Key Features:
-
MoU on Military Cooperation (2005)
-
Oman is:
-
First Gulf country where all three Indian defence services conduct joint exercises.
-
-
Indian Navy presence in Gulf of Oman since 2012–13 (anti-piracy).
-
Oman provides:
-
Overflight & transit facilities to Indian military aircraft.
-
-
Duqm Port Logistics Agreement (2018):
-
Basing, turnaround & logistics support to Indian Navy.
-
Enhances India’s IOR maritime security role.
-
-
Strategic advantage:
-
Oman overlooks Gulf of Oman & Arabian Sea
-
Enables discreet monitoring of Chinese PLA Navy activity.
-
Defence Trade:
-
First Gulf country to buy INSAS rifles (2010).
-
Possible future deals:
-
Tejas fighter aircraft
-
Naval patrol ships
-
Radar systems
-
Jaguar fighter aircraft spare parts
-
-
Scope for joint defence production.
Economic & Commercial Relations
Trade:
-
Bilateral trade (FY 2024–25): $10.613 billion
-
Growing but still modest → high untapped potential.
Investment:
-
Omani FDI in India (2000–2025): $605.57 million
-
Oman–India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF):
-
SBI + Oman Investment Authority (50:50 JV)
-
$600 million invested in India
-
Third tranche ($300 million) announced in 2023
-
Fintech & Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
-
MoU (Oct 2022):
-
Central Bank of Oman + NPCI
-
-
Outcomes:
-
Rupay debit card launched in Oman
-
Interlinking of payment systems
-
-
Part of India’s global push for Digital Public Infrastructure exports.
Emerging Domains of Cooperation
(a) CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement)
-
Likely to be signed during the visit.
-
Oman would be:
-
Second West Asian country after UAE to sign CEPA with India.
-
-
Benefits:
-
Trade diversification
-
Cushion against US tariffs on Indian imports
-
(b) Connectivity
-
Oman’s role in:
-
India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) (announced at G-20 Delhi 2023)
-
-
Enhances India’s:
-
Trade routes
-
Strategic presence in West Asia
-
(c) Energy Cooperation
-
Expanding beyond hydrocarbons to:
-
Green hydrogen
-
Renewable energy
-
Critical minerals
-
-
Possibility of:
-
Oman storing strategic petroleum reserves in India (UAE model)
-
(d) Space & Technology
-
Space cooperation agreement signed in 2018
-
Scope for:
-
Satellite applications
-
Research collaboration
-
Education & Health Cooperation
-
Likely initiatives:
-
Offshore campuses of IITs & IIMs in Oman
-
-
Strengthens:
-
People-to-people ties
-
India’s soft power
-
Significance for India
-
Reinforces India’s oldest strategic partnership in the Gulf
-
Strengthens:
-
Maritime security
-
Energy security
-
Connectivity ambitions
-
-
Supports India’s vision of:
-
Extended Neighbourhood
-
Net-zero transition
-
Multipolar West Asia engagement
-
Conclusion
The Oman visit is strategic, not symbolic. Whether through CEPA, defence logistics, IMEC connectivity, green energy or digital payments, Oman remains a cornerstone of India’s West Asia policy in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Related Posts
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Reopens
Posted on
