Muscat: Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, accompanied by a high-level official delegation, visited the Republic of India on an official visit from March 23-24 at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S. Jaishankar. This is the first
visit of Sayyid Badr Albusaidi to India since his appointment as the Foreign Minister of Oman in August 2020.
2. The Foreign Minister of Oman met the External Affairs Minister of India for delegation-level talks on March 23, 2022. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the close strategic partnership between Oman and India. Both Ministers highlighted the high priority accorded by the leadership of both the countries to bilateral relations based on high mutual trust and respect. Both Ministers underscored that as neighbours united by the waters of the Arabian Sea, both countries have an important role in maritime safety and security in the region.
3. Both Ministers recalled the immense contribution of His Late Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in the development of a close strategic partnership between both countries. Both Ministers applauded the conferment of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 on His Late Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said by the Government of India in recognition of his visionary leadership, his efforts to promote peace as well as his immense contribution in strengthening Oman-India friendship.
4. Both the Ministers positively assessed the multi-faceted Oman-India relations that span several areas of cooperation including political, strategic, defence, economy, energy, investment, space, mining, science and technology, culture, consular and humanitarian cooperation. They noted that while the traditional areas of cooperation are being further strengthened, new drivers of growth are expanding bilateral cooperation with new vigour and energy. Both Ministers welcomed the decision to expeditiously implement proposals for joint cooperation in space, mining, maritime and science and technology sectors.
5. Both sides noted with satisfaction the continued intensification of close interactions at all levels including telephone conversations between His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi; regular meetings and contact between Foreign Ministers; visit of Secretary-General of Oman’s Ministry of Defence to India; meeting of Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC); holding of Foreign Ministries Consultations; visit of India’s Chief of the Naval Staff to Oman; visit of Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman to India; bilateral Air Force exercise in India; meeting of Joint Maritime Committee etc. Both Ministers welcomed the continued and sustained engagements under bilateral mechanisms in various fields between both the countries and agreed to hold the Joint Commission Meeting at the level of Commerce Ministers, India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group Meeting by the Foreign Ministries, Strategic Dialogue, and Joint Working Group on Labor at an early date.
6. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the continued momentum in defence cooperation as it remains one of the key pillars of bilateral cooperation. Both Ministers welcomed the timely renewal of longstanding MoUs on military cooperation & maritime issues between Oman and India. The Ministers welcomed the holding of the 11th Joint Military Cooperation Committee Meeting (JMCC) in New Delhi in February 2022 which was co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence of Oman and the Defence Secretary of India. Attesting to the trust and closeness in defence cooperation, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence of Oman became the first foreign dignitary to embark on India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier – Vikrant.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made in military-to-military engagements, excellent logistics support provided by Omani authorities, and various ongoing infrastructure projects. Both the Ministers noted that the first visit of the incumbent Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (CRNO) to India in February 2022 will help in deepening cooperation between the Royal Navy of Oman and the Indian Navy. It was agreed to initiate the exchange of White Shipping information expeditiously to increase the maritime domain awareness of both countries.
7. India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) thanked the Omani side for taking excellent care of the large Indian community in Oman during the pandemic and lauded the cooperation between the countries during the COVID pandemic.
The EAM noted that Oman was the first country in the region to accord approval to indigenously developed COVAXIN attesting to the close and friendly relations between both countries. The Ministers expressed gratitude to each other’s countries for timely assistance during the pandemic. India’s assistance in supplying critical medicines, including Hydroxychloroquine and COVID vaccine and Oman’s assistance in providing ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other critical equipment during India’s second phase, was a humanitarian gesture well-received by both sides. They noted that the Air-bubble arrangement has served the interim travel needs of citizens of both countries. The Ministers welcomed the forthcoming resumption of scheduled commercial passenger flights to their pre-pandemic capacity as per the bilateral air service agreement.
8. Both Ministers noted with satisfaction that bilateral trade was not adversely affected during the pandemic and agreed that there is significant potential to enhance bilateral trade in tune with the depth of the Oman-India strategic partnership. They underscored the need to enhance momentum in trade and investment linkages as the economies of both countries show strong signs of post-pandemic recovery. The Ministers welcomed the progress and cooperation in resolving trade barriers in respect of critical agro commodities. Both Ministers noted with satisfaction that several investment ideas continue to progress, and agreed to pursue opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, green ammonia etc. Noting the synergy between the vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to position Oman as a global hub for green hydrogen and green ammonia and the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was agreed to enhance cooperation in this area.
9. Both Ministers agreed to finalise negotiations of the bilateral protocol on Investment and Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA) at an early date in a spirit of mutual understanding.
10. Both sides attested to the strong potential for cooperation in the renewable energy sector under the Green Grids Initiative g.– One Sun One World One Grid.
11. The Ministers also exchanged views on recent regional developments as well as global issues of mutual interest. They affirmed their keenness to work together in regional and international organisations and forums in order to achieve their common interests. Both Ministers thanked each other’s government for consistently supporting their respective candidatures at various international organizations.
12. The Ministers welcomed the signing of an MOU between Oman Post and India Post for issuance of an Oman-India Joint Commemorative Stamp. The joint stamp will highlight the millennia-old shared cultural heritage between both countries and will be released in the last quarter of this year.
13. Both Ministers welcomed the signing of the Programme of Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the two countries within the joint committee's programmes.
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