Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India Relations with Other Nations, Issue: India–Oman Relationship.
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oman in December 2025, as part of a West Asia–Africa tour. The visit also coincides with 70 years of India–Oman diplomatic relations, underscoring its strategic significance beyond symbolism.
Key Highlights:
Key Aspects of the India–Oman Relationship:
- Defense and Security Cooperation:
- A memorandum of understanding on military cooperation was signed in 2005.
- Indian naval ships have been deployed in the Gulf of Oman for anti-piracy operations since 2012-13.
- Oman provides overflight/transit facilities for Indian military aircraft.
- Oman was the first Gulf country to purchase the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) assault rifle in 2010.
- Economic and Commercial Relations:
- Bilateral trade has steadily increased, reaching $10.613 billion for FY 2024-25.
- Cumulative foreign direct investment equity inflow from Oman to India is $605.57 million (April 2000 to March 2025).
- The Oman-India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) has invested $600 million in India and Opportunities for Stronger Bilateral Cooperation
- Trade and Investment:
- The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is likely to be signed, which will help India diversify trade options.
- Strategic Areas: Increased engagement in space cooperation, building on the agreement signed in 2018.
- Connectivity: Oman could play an important role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
- Energy Cooperation:
- Expanding cooperation to include green hydrogen, renewable energy, and critical minerals.
- Potential for Oman to hold strategic petroleum reserves in India.
- Defense Ties:
- Setting up joint production facilities.
- Supply of critical weapon platforms such as the Tejas fighter aircraft, naval patrol ships, and radar equipment.
- Enhanced counter-terror and anti-piracy cooperation.
- A deal to supply spare parts of Jaguar fighter aircraft to India is likely.
- Education and Health:
- Establishing offshore campuses of prestigious Indian institutes like IIT and IIM in Oman.
Prime Minister Modi’s Oman visit reaffirms India’s deep strategic partnership with a trusted Gulf partner amid regional flux. By advancing cooperation in trade, defence, energy, connectivity and technology, it can elevate India–Oman ties to a higher strategic plane.
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