On India-Oman Bilateral Relations – A time-honoured connect that will help bridge the Gulf

Source: This post on India-Oman Bilateral Relations has been created based on the article “A time-honoured connect that will help bridge the Gulf” published in “The Hindu” on 16^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood-relations.

News: The article discusses the importance and the key highlights of the India-Oman bilateral relations.

The Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, is visiting India on a state visit. This will be his first visit to India after taking over.

What is the importance of Oman for India?

1. Historic Cooperation: During and after the Cold War era, Oman was friendlier to India compared to the Arab World (which was supportive of Pakistan).
2. Geostrategic Aspect: Omani ports along the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman being the entry point to the Persian Gulf and to the Gulf of Aden make Oman’s location of strategic importance to India.

Source: World Atlas.

3. Economic Relations: In the past, Indian companies and professionals have undertaken projects in Oman.
4. Large Indian Diaspora: Oman has a large Indian community of 7 lakh people.
5. Oman’s Neutral Foreign Policy: It has pursued a foreign policy of neutrality in dealing with regional issues and conflicts.
   For instance, it has carefully balanced its close relations with the western powers and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and even neighbouring Iran.
6. Crucial Pillar of India’s West Asia policy.
7. Shared Values: The two countries consider themselves as ambassadors of peace and enjoy goodwill in the world.

What are the highlights of India-Oman bilateral relations?

Strategic Relations:
a. The India-Oman strategic partnership was signed in 2008 based on twin pillars of mutual trust and shared interests.
b. India’s Prime Minister had visited Oman in 2018 where key agreements on trade, defence and security were agreed upon.

Defence and Security:
a. Both countries have cooperated in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
For instance, an Indian naval ship has remained on duty in the Gulf of Oman for anti-piracy operations.
b. Oman’s Duqm Port provides base facilities, Operational Turn Round and other logistics facilities to Indian naval ships in the region.

Trade and Commerce:
a. Bilateral trade during FY2022-23 reached $12.4 billion.
b. Over 6,000 India-Oman joint ventures are present in Oman.
c. India was the 2^nd largest market for Oman’s crude oil exports for the year 2022.

Space Cooperation: An MoU on space sector cooperation was signed in 2018.

Connectivity Projects: The proposed India-Middle-East-Europe Connectivity Corridor (IMEEC) project will see Oman playing an important role in India’s connectivity ambitions.

Way Forward:

Gateway to West Asia: India is seeking deeper engagement and collaboration in West Asia, in which Oman can play an important role. This is because Oman is an integral part of important groupings in the region: the GCC, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Arab League.

Question for practice:

India’s West Asian foreign policy outreach can benefit through a deeper strategic partnership with Oman. Elaborate.