Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 17th to18th December 2025, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, has deepened one of India’s most enduring and balanced partnerships in West Asia. Coming in the year that marks 70 years of diplomatic relations and following Sultan Haitham’s state visit to India in December 2023, this trip reaffirmed the special trust and multifaceted cooperation between the two maritime neighbours.
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral ties in trade, investment, defence, security, technology, education, energy, space, agriculture and culture, and welcomed the progress made under the earlier Joint Vision Document. They noted that relations between Oman and India, rooted in centuries old people to people links, have stood the test of time and evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership.
India commended Oman’s economic diversification and sustainable development under Vision 2040, while Oman welcomed India’s sustained economic growth and its goal of a developed India by 2047. Both sides highlighted the convergence in their outlooks and agreed to work together in areas of mutual interest.
Trade and commerce remain a cornerstone of the relationship. The leaders stressed the potential for further growth and diversification of bilateral trade and recognized vast opportunities in textiles, automobiles, chemicals, machinery and fertilisers. They welcomed the signing of the India Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a landmark achievement that will reduce trade barriers, create a stable framework and boost trade, investment, jobs and economic development in both countries. They encouraged the private sectors to fully leverage this agreement.
Both sides expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in priority sectors such as infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, hospitality and others. They also noted the strong potential to expand and facilitate investments through the Oman India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF), building on its successful track record.
The leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral energy cooperation, including in upstream and downstream opportunities, green ammonia and green hydrogen, and agreed that there is immense scope to further expand energy trade. They recognised the alignment of their sustainable energy goals and proposed joint investments, technology transfer and long term collaboration.
Defence cooperation was welcomed and both sides agreed to continue working together through joint exercises, training and high level visits to achieve shared objectives and contribute to regional security and stability. They agreed to adopt joint initiatives to combat maritime crimes and piracy, and emphasised enhancing maritime domain awareness and continuous information exchange.
During the visit, the two sides adopted a Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation, reflecting their shared commitment to regional maritime security, the blue economy and the sustainable use of ocean resources. They also recognised health cooperation as a key pillar of the partnership and expressed interest in further strengthening collaboration in this area.
The leaders noted ongoing discussions on establishing an AYUSH Chair at the National University of Science and Technology and setting up an information centre in Oman to facilitate cooperation in traditional medicine. They welcomed the signing of an MoU on agriculture and allied sectors, which will advance cooperation in agricultural science, animal husbandry and aquaculture, and agreed to enhance collaboration in millet cultivation through training and scientific exchange.
Both sides highlighted growing cooperation in IT services, digital infrastructure and space applications. They expressed satisfaction with the depth of cultural ties and strong people to people relations, welcomed the joint exhibition on India Oman relations and noted ongoing discussions on cultural digitisation initiatives. They also highlighted the initiative to establish an ICCR Chair for Indian Studies at Sohar University, which will promote cultural and educational exchange.
The leaders welcomed an MoU on maritime heritage and museums, which will enable museum cooperation, including joint exhibitions and research, and noted the upcoming first visit of INSV Kaundiya to Oman, highlighting their shared maritime traditions. They acknowledged ongoing cooperation in education and scientific exchange, including the upcoming India Oman Knowledge Dialogue, and noted that the MoU on higher education will facilitate faculty and student exchanges, institutional collaboration and joint research. They also referred to ongoing capacity building initiatives under the ITEC programme.
Oman expressed interest in discussing air services traffic rights, including expanding destinations and codeshare arrangements, and India noted this request.
Both sides recognised that centuries old people to people ties form the bedrock of Oman India relations. India expressed appreciation to Oman’s leadership for ensuring the welfare and well being of the nearly 6.75 lakh Indian community in Oman, while Oman acknowledged the significant contribution of the Indian expatriate community to its development.
The leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterated that no justification can ever be accepted for such acts, underlining the importance of continued cooperation in this area. They expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stressed the need for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians, welcomed the signing of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan and reiterated their support for efforts to restore peace and stability, including through dialogue and diplomacy, to achieve a just and lasting solution that includes the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
During the visit, the following agreements and MOU’s were signed:
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Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
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MoU on Maritime Heritage and Museums
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MoU on Agriculture and Allied Sectors
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MoU on Higher Education
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MoU between Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Confederation of Indian Industry
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Adoption of Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation
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Executive Programme on Cooperation in Millet Cultivation and Agri Food Innovation
Prime Minister Modi thanked His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq for the warm hospitality and gracious reception extended to him and his delegation, and extended an invitation to the Sultan to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
