Air India One (Boeing 777-300 ER) gently took off from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia, at 1400h and landed perfectly at 1805h at Muscat International Airport on December 17, 2025, and gradually taxied towards the VIP bay protected by Oman Army royal guards. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped down briskly, he was received by Deputy Prime Minister of Oman (International Affairs) Assad Bin Tariq Al Said. This was the second visit of PM Modi to Oman. He had earlier visited Oman in 2018. He was given a Guard of Honour at the airport and a traditional welcome.
On December 18, PM Modi was invited to Al Baraka Palace by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and was conferred the highest award of Oman, the Order of Oman, as a mark of long-lasting friendship of 70 years. “India will always be the first responder to Oman in any situation and will remain a strategic partner,” promised the Indian PM. Both leaders approved the Free Trade Agreement. PM Modi also addressed, during the Festival of Friendship, the large diaspora at the Oman Convention Centre and appreciated their positive role in the economy of Oman. PM Modi returned to New Delhi on December 19, 2025, declaring this visit a landmark in Indo-Omani fraternity.
The Sultanate of Oman is located in West Asia, on the western coast of the Arabian Sea. Oman shares its border with Saudi Arabia in the west, Yemen in the south and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the northwest. The Arabian Sea forms the eastern maritime frontier. Oman is strategically located and dominates the Strait of Hormuz, the southern entry point to the Persian Gulf, from which 20% of the world’s oil originates. There are two enclaves of Medha and Musandam across. The Sea of Oman is located in the northeastern part of Oman. Iran and Pakistan have maritime frontiers with Oman.
Oman has large oil reserves and is ranked the 22nd oil-rich country in the world. Its GDP is $108 billion, and crude oil forms 82% of its exports. There are 20 lakhs expatriates in Oman. The Indian diaspora is 6.76 lakh strong and plays a significant role in the economy of Oman
It is interesting to note that Gwadar port was part of Oman for the last 200 years under British control from the Bombay presidency. It was sold to Pakistan in 1958 for 3 million sterling pounds. Oman’s population is 5.46 million, and the majority is Muslim. The total area of Oman is 3,15,141 square kilometres. Muscat is the largest city, and Musandam, Shinas, Sohar, Sur, Al Duqm, Haymar, Nazwa, Muga Sin, and Salalah are the other important coastal towns. Nizwa oil fields are located in the western desert. Oman is oil-rich and strategically located in the Arabian Sea. Sound India-Omani relations are an asset for the regional peace and a win-win for both neighbours across the Arabian Sea.
Oman is an old Islamic Sultanate. The head of state is Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, and the Crown Prince is Thiazine Bin Haitham. Historically, in 130 CE, Oman was inhabited by the Azd tribe. It came under the Al Jalanda dynasty in 629 CE and became an Imamate in 751 CE. The Naba-Hani dynasty took over the reign in 1154 CE. Portuguese landed initially as traders and later, by treachery, made it into a colony of Portugal in 1507 and ruled for 150 years till 1656. The Yaruba dynasty came to power in 1624 and ruled till 1743. The Al Said dynasty came to power in 1744. It allied with the British for protection. On January 8, 1856, it was named Muscat of Oman. It was named the Sultanate of Oman on August 9, 1970. Qaboos Bin Said was crowned as Sultan of Oman.
Since 1970, the national day of Oman has been celebrated on November 18, the birthday of the late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, who converted Oman into a modern state with a better infrastructure network and a strong economy. He had no children. So, he had nominated Haitham Bin Tariq, a close relative, as Crown Prince, who was made Sultan after his death on January 10, 2020.
Oman is the only Gulf country with which all wings of the Indian Armed Forces have undertaken joint military exercises and have cooperated in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Naseem al Bahr, a bilateral exercise, was held in 1993 jointly by the Oman and Indian navies and is held every year
Oman is a prominent maritime country. It is a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, the GCC, OIC, and OPEC. Oman has large oil reserves and ranks 22nd oil-rich country in the world. The GDP is $108 billion. Crude oil forms 82% of the exports of Oman. There are 20 lakhs expatriates in Oman. The Indian diaspora is 6.76 lakhs and plays an important positive role in economy of Oman. The country has a well-developed infrastructure, good highways and connectivity. It is thinly populated. The density of population is merely 14 per square km, and 90% land is barren desert.
India-Oman relations are almost 5000 years old. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established 70 years ago in 1955. The Indian consulate was opened in February 1955 in Muscat, which was upgraded to Consulate General in 1960. The Indian embassy was established in 1970. Oman established its embassy in New Delhi in 1972 and consulate in Mumbai in 1976. India is one of the largest trade partners with almost $10 billion in bilateral trade. India has Mutual agreements in multiple fields, including energy security, defence cooperation, health sector, trade, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations.
The Sultan of Oman, as a mark of harmony and respect for the faith of Indians, donated land for the construction of the Lord Krishna Temple, which was built in 2024. Thousands of Indians worship at the temple every day. India has been the first responder in providing HADR help in case of natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes, or a pandemic like COVID-19. Oman has given access to the ports of Oman, including Muscat and Salalah, to the Indian Navy for joint Indo-Omani military exercises and anti-piracy operations.
During the visit of PM Modi, the biggest achievement was the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Oman and India. An economic agreement was signed by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Qais Bin Mohmmad Al Yusuef. PM Modi said, “We are taking a historic step forward in the Indo-Omani relations, whose positive impacts will be felt for decades to come.” The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the second in West Asia after the UAE, will allow 98% of Indian exports to enter Oman duty free while India will remove 77% of tariffs from Oman, excluding some sensitive items such as gold and oil and gas. Omani dates, marbles, and petro-chemical products will see zero-duty access. While 85% of Indian products face a 5-6% duty in Oman, there are several food products that face up to a 100% tariff, which will be eliminated in the first quarter of 2026.
Oman has always been a strategic partner of India and an important interlocutor at the Indian Ocean Rim Association. It has been a supporter of India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Oman is a crucial pillar of India’s West Asia Policy and the oldest regional and geopolitical strategic friend since 2008
India is likely to become the largest supplier of electronic goods to Oman, like the UAE. Service providers and professionals are also expected to benefit due to relaxed visa rules. Indian AYUSH and Pharma products will also be inducted in Oman and will accept Indian halal and organic food certificates.
The Indo-Omani trade deficit was $0.1 billion in 2023-24 as Indian exports to Oman were worth $4.4 billion, while Indian imports from Oman were $4.5 billion, but the deficit went up in 2024-25 to $2.4 billion as imports rose to $6.5 billion. The major import items are crude oil, fertilisers, and organic chemicals, and export items are oil products, machinery and organic chemicals. There were 100% tariffs on Indian dairy products, goat meat products, bread and chocolates, and edible oil, which will be reduced to zero duty. Pork, alcohol and plantain are totally exempted and also automobiles. Textiles, minerals, chemicals, and machinery 5% duty will also be reduced to zero. Omani CEPA is part of the trade diversification strategy, especially after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff penalty, which has hit Indian exports to the USA. India is also carrying out FTAs with the European Free Trade Association, Russia, New Zealand, and Chile to neutralise the US one-sided action.
Oman is India’s closest defence partner in the Gulf region. Oman is the only Gulf country with which all wings of the Indian Armed Forces have undertaken joint military exercises and have cooperated in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Naseem al Bahr (Sea Breeze), a bilateral maritime exercise, was held in 1993 jointly by the Oman and Indian navies and is held every year. Admiral R Harikumar, Chief of Naval Staff, led a delegation to Oman from July 30 to August 3, 2023. India has supplied INSAS Rifles to the Oman Armed Forces. The Oman-India Defence Seminar was held in Muscat in September 2023. The Oman Delegation also participated in the Aero India International seminar in 2023 and 2025. The Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) meeting was held in New Delhi on November 24, 2024. The Indian Coast Guard and Royal Oman Police Coast Guard meeting was held on April 29-30, 2025, in Muscat. Both nations have agreed to share logistic bases and intelligence on counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations. From July 15 to July 18, 2024, a joint rescue mission was launched as one Oil Tanker, MV Prestige Falcon, had capsized in the Gulf of Oman. INS Teg and P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft were deployed along with the Oman Navy patrol vessels; 12 crew members were rescued, and one body of an Indian crew member was recovered. The Al Duqm base has been open to the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force for docking and logistics support since 2018.
The maiden voyage of the Indian naval sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya from Porbandar to Muscat commenced on December 29 for a 1800 km-long journey. It is likely to complete its journey in 15 days and reach Muscat by January 14, 2026, adding another glorious chapter in India-Omani cooperation
Oman has always been a strategic partner of India and important interlocutor at the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and a supporter of India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Oman is a crucial pillar of India’s West Asia Policy and the oldest regional and geopolitical strategic friend since 2008. India invited Oman to the G20 meeting as a special invitee during its presidency in 2023, and Sayyid Assad Bin Tariq, Deputy PM, and nine Omani ministers had attended the G20 summit on September 9-10, 2023. Sultan Qaboos was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2019 as a mark of goodwill and respect between the two nations. PM Modi‘s visit has shown the world how much India values the India-Oman fraternity.
The maiden voyage of the Indian naval sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman, commenced on December 29, 2025, for a 1800 km-long journey, and is yet another milestone. INSV Kaundinya is named in honour of a legendary ancient mariner of 1 CE, who was the captain of a flotilla which travelled to the Mekong river delta and helped in the establishment of the Funan empire in Cambodia. The vessel is an engineless boat, based on the heritage design of Ajanta caves, built using the ancient stitched ship technique with seasoned wooden planks tied together with resins and coconut resin ropes and two huge masts marked with double eagle head and Red Sun. The vessel is 65 feet long, 13 feet high and 22 feet broad. The weight of the vessel is 50 tonnes. It will be commanded by a commander-level officer and 12 crew members and will be propelled by wind currents and masts. It is likely to complete its journey in 15 days and reach Muscat by January 14, 2026, adding another glorious chapter in India-Omani cooperation.
-The writer is an Indian Army veteran and a defence analyst. He has keen interest in Geo-strategic affairs and writes regularly on internal and external affairs issues related to India and neighbours. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
