Oman-UK: A special and deeply rooted relationship

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's State visit to the United Kingdom, highlights the bonds of friendship and the relationship that the Sultanate of Oman has long held with a very powerful Western nation.
The sincere affection and kindness with which His Majesty the Sultan was warmly and hospitably welcomed by the British monarchy show the deep and genuine respect the UK holds for a great leader. The peoples of Oman and the UK place confidence in their leaderships to set the conditions for being successful and thriving nations.
The State Visit of His Majesty the Sultan crowns a centuries-old relationship between Oman and the UK. It is one of the oldest relationships an Arab country has with a most influential Western power. What makes it unique is the fact that the world is witnessing one of the most enduring international relationships, in which the way the two countries have dealt with each other has remained firm despite the successive hereditary monarchies that have survived over such a long period of time. This distinguished relationship has never been disturbed by the changing tides of time or differences of opinion. On the contrary, all the events and circumstances it has weathered have made it stronger and more solid than ever before.
While it has been able to maintain close ties with the UK, Oman has throughout this long-lasting relationship remained independent, not subject to external control, and has maintained its notable and distinctive foreign policy. This is in part due to the fact that Oman was a major naval power in the 17th and 18th centuries and was able to establish commercial networks overseas covering crucial maritime areas across the Indian Ocean, East Africa, Persia, and India. Through the English East India Company, UK interests in trade and commerce became more active in the region, for which the primary relationship between Oman and the UK grew to become an exemplary one in recent history.
Without doubt, the UK enjoys a high level of cultural and technological development. It is widely perceived that the UK is one of the most developed nations in the world. The UK possesses an advanced social and technological structure that positively influences the countries with which it has a close relationship. The strategic status the UK occupies on the international stage makes it one of the most important countries in the world. Unsurprisingly, the British are leaders of modern world civilisation with accumulated scientific and philosophical knowledge, and are well-known for their ability to discern inner qualities and relationships. The British, as the whole of the world testifies, are indeed in possession of a rich knowledge and social legacy, marked by a noble and kindly spirit.
The unique relationship between the two countries has centred around many areas, ranging from maritime trade to political cooperation, and from defence and military agreements to diplomatic and educational cooperation. Such wide-ranging fields have undoubtedly benefited both countries. The renaissance in Oman, which started back in the early 1970s under the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, witnessed significant UK assistance in the building of modern Oman and the capacity building of Omanis. Thanks to British assistance, Oman now has very modern and well-organised armed forces and has made significant strides in various areas, including oil exploration, education, and the administrative organisation of the Omani government apparatus. Omanis consider the UK as a country worthy of high regard and place a high value on the strategic partnership their country has with the UK.
Oman is blessed with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's wise leadership, who has continuously shown good judgement and acute discernment of matters, while putting the interests of the Omani people at the top of his priorities. Under the reign of His Majesty the Sultan, development in Oman is taking place across various disciplines, including education, military technology, agriculture, and more.
There is no doubt that His Majesty the Sultan highly values the significant role that the UK plays on the world stage, as well as the close and longstanding ties that bind the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom. This visit shall, without doubt, have a profound and positive impact on further strengthening this enduring relationship, which stretches back over centuries. May Almighty Allah protect His Majesty the Sultan and grant him success in all that serves the best interests of our beloved country!