PM Modi Honoured With Oman’s Highest Civilian Award As India, Oman Sign Historic Trade Pact
During his two‑day visit to Muscat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the ‘Order of Oman (First Class)’ by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, in recognition of his “exceptional contribution” to strengthening India–Oman relations and his wider leadership in the Global South. The decoration, earlier awarded to global figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela and Japan’s Emperor Akihito, is the 29th top civilian honour presented to Modi by a foreign nation.
Landmark CEPA Opens New Trade Corridor
The visit also saw India and Oman sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), described by both sides as a “historic milestone” in economic ties as the countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. Under the pact, Oman has offered zero‑duty access on about 98% of its tariff lines for Indian goods, covering sectors such as engineering, textiles, chemicals, plastics and some agricultural products, while India will progressively lower duties on a substantial share of Omani exports.
Officials say the agreement is expected to push bilateral trade well beyond the 10.6 billion‑dollar mark recorded in 2024–25, attract new investment into ports and logistics, and give Indian companies a competitive foothold in the wider Gulf and Red Sea region via Omani gateways like Duqm.
Defence And Maritime Security A Key Pillar
In a joint statement, India and Oman “commended the deepening cooperation in the defence sector” and agreed to expand joint exercises, training programmes and high‑level exchanges between their armed forces. Oman, already India’s closest defence partner in the Gulf and the first regional state to host all three Indian services for exercises, will work with New Delhi on enhancing maritime domain awareness and combating piracy and other crimes in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
Both sides also discussed early delivery of spare parts for Jaguar fighter aircraft from Oman’s retired fleet and explored new opportunities for defence industrial collaboration under India’s ‘Make in India’ and Oman’s diversification plans.
Energy, Connectivity And People‑To‑People Ties
Energy security featured prominently in the talks, with Oman reaffirming steady crude and LNG supplies and exploring long‑term contracts and potential investment in India’s strategic petroleum reserves and petrochemical projects. The CEPA framework is expected to facilitate joint ventures in green hydrogen, renewables and port‑linked industrial zones, positioning Oman as a major hub for India’s West Asia energy outreach.
The leaders welcomed the contribution of the nearly 7‑lakh‑strong Indian community in Oman and announced steps to ease mobility for skilled workers and professionals, including more streamlined visa and labour‑contract procedures under the new economic partnership.
Diplomats say the Muscat visit, crowned by the Order of Oman and the signing of CEPA, signals a new phase in India–Oman ties in which trade, defence, maritime security and energy cooperation are tightly woven together, giving New Delhi a stronger anchor in the Gulf at a time of global flux.
