Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Oman is poised to forge a robust economic and strategic alliance, potentially including a free trade agreement and a joint defense partnership. India anticipates receiving spare parts for its retired Jaguar fleet from Oman.
NEW DELHI: India’s outreach to Gulf countries is set achieve a significant boost with PM Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Oman likely to culminate in a comprehensive economic and strategic partnership that will include a free trade agreement and framing of a joint defence partnership where New Delhi can receive spare parts from Oman’s retired fleet of Jaguars. The Cabinet approved the FTA between India and Oman Friday.In a media briefing, MEA Friday said India is “very optimistic” about a comprehensive partnership with Oman. “We are working on several documents which are ready for finalisation by the two sides. It will significantly deepen ties,” Arun Kumar Chatterjee, secretary in MEA said.PM Modi will undertake a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman from Dec 15-18. During his first leg of the visit, the PM will meet King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan and review the entire gamut of relations between the two countries and explore new avenues of collaboration.From Dec 16-17, the PM will visit Ethiopia at the invitation of PM Abiy Ahmed Ali. This will be his first visit to Ethiopia during which New Delhi will hold wide ranging discussions as part of south-south cooperation in diversifying trade and cooperation and on climate change related initiatives. In the final leg of his visit, the PM will visit Oman from Dec 17-18, during which he will meet King Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and “comprehensively review the bilateral partnership, as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest”.Commerce minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Oman for the signing of the FTA.
