India and Oman share a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation
The Head of State of the Sultanate of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, arrived in New Delhi on Friday (December 15, 2023) for his first State Visit to India. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior Ministers and officials.

"His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman arrives to a warm welcome in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. 

Received by @MOS_MEA at the airport. 

The visit will further reinforce the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India & Oman and strengthen bilateral ties," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi posted on social media platform X. 

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will be received by President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a ceremonial welcome on Saturday (December 16, 2023). He will later hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi who will also host a luncheon in his honour.

India and Oman share a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation, built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect, and strong people-to-people ties going back centuries. India and the Sultanate of Oman are strategic partners and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two nations has flourished over the years.

This first state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between India and the Sultanate of Oman, the MEA said on Sunday (December 10, 2024). 

"The visit will be an opportunity to explore avenues for future collaboration between India and Oman for regional stability, progress and prosperity," the MEA added. 

STRONG TRADE & INVESTMENT LINKAGES

India is among Oman’s top trading partners. According to the Indian Embassy in Muscat, for Oman, India was the 3rd largest (after UAE and China) source for its imports and 3rd largest market (after UAE and Saudi Arabia) for its non-oil exports in 2019. During 2019-20, bilateral trade was US$ 5.93 billion and during 2020 – 21 (April 2020 – February 2021) the total trade was US$ 4.6 billion. 

Major items of Indian exports are mineral fuels and products of their distillation, textiles, machinery, electrical items, chemicals, iron and steel, tea, coffee, spices, rice and meat products and seafood. Among major Indian imports are: urea, LNG, polypropylene, lubricating oil, dates and chromite ore.

Bilateral investment flows have been robust, as reflected in numerous 
joint ventures established both in India and Oman. According to Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, there are over 4,100 Indian enterprises and 
establishments in Oman with an estimated investment of US$ 7.5 billion. Oman

Idian firms have invested heavily Oman in various sectors like iron and 
steel, cement.