Oman eyes Indian-made defense equipment, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq will come to New Delhi on Friday on bilateral visit

The Indian government, which is engaged in a new direction in relations with West Asian countries, is ready to welcome Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman. Sultan Haithak will reach New Delhi on Friday and on Saturday (December 16) he will have bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi.

There will be special talks between the two leaders on enhancing defence and trade relations and sending Indian workers and professionals to Oman. In the past, Oman has shown special interest in Indian-made defence equipment. Along with other countries in the West Asian region, Oman is also busy strengthening its defence preparedness and in this, it wants to become a country close to India.

Foreign Ministry sources said that Oman is the closest country to India among the West Asian countries. Military exercises have started between the three armies of the two countries. In reality, India does not conduct tri-service exercises with any other country in the region. In 2018, when PM Modi visited Oman, an agreement was reached to strengthen military relations between the two countries.

It is because of this relationship that India had specially invited Oman while presiding over the G-20 countries. Oman has participated in more than 150 meetings of the G-20. The Sultan of Oman had sent his special envoy and Deputy Prime Minister Syed Asad to India for the summit. There is also constant contact between the two countries regarding cooperation against terrorism. In June 2023, NSA Ajit Doval visited Oman. This shows how much importance India also gives to this small country.

The issue of trade will also be very important in the talks between the Indian PM and the Sultan of Oman. Talks are going on between the two countries regarding Free Trade Agreement (FTA). A high-level team is currently on a tour of Oman in this regard. In the year 2020-21, the bilateral trade between the two countries was 5.4 billion dollars, which has increased to 12.3 billion dollars in the year 2022-23.