In a significant diplomatic move, the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, is expected to visit India later this month, marking the first high-profile visit by an Arab leader since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted.
The visit gains prominence due to the expected talks between Sultan Haitham and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the West Asia situation. Modi has expressed keen interest in hosting the sultan, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivering a message to Sultan Tarik during his visit to Muscat in June.
Though the visit has not been announced officially, reports in the public domain indicate that the Sultan of Oman is expected on Dec 16, 2023. This visit aims to compensate for Oman’s absence at the G20 summit, where it was among the guest countries invited by India.
Significance of the visit
Oman, like other Gulf States, advocates for an immediate end to Israeli military action in Gaza and calls for an investigation into the attacks on the Strip.
The Gulf country holds a crucial position as India’s closest defence partner in the region and a vital collaborator in Indian Ocean maritime security. As reported previously in Financial Express Online, Oman has granted the Indian Navy access to the strategic Port of Duqm.
During a conversation with US President Joe Biden, Sultan Haitham emphasized respecting international resolutions, humanitarian law, and the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
India has maintained communication with Oman on the matter, with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar discussing it with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi in October. The sultan urged an immediate ceasefire, continued humanitarian aid, and adherence to international law to protect civilian lives.
India & Oman Military Cooperation
Defence collaboration stands out as a crucial aspect of India’s strategic partnership with Oman. And holds the distinction of being the first Gulf country to conduct joint exercises with all three wings of the Indian armed forces. India values the Gulf country’s cooperation, especially the access granted to the Duqm port, strategically positioned in the southeast.
As India strengthens ties with Oman amid growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean, the visit underscores the significance of this partnership. Notably, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval inspected the Duqm port during his official visit to Oman in June. Additionally, Oman hosts a substantial Indian community, with close to 700,000 Indian nationals residing there.