Welcomed by MOS Muraleedharan, the Sultan's Visit Strengthens India-Oman Bilateral Ties
New Delhi, December 15 - Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik arrived at the national capital airport today, commencing his first-ever state visit to India. The distinguished guest was warmly welcomed by V Muraleedharan, Minister of State (MOS) for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs of India.
In a tweet, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi expressed, "His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman arrives to a warm welcome in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Received by @MOS_MEA at the airport. The visit will further reinforce the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India & Oman and strengthen bilateral ties."
Accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior ministers and officials, the Sultan of Oman is embarking on a three-day visit to India. This visit holds particular significance as it marks the first state visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India, symbolizing a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
India and Oman share a deep-rooted friendship with historical, cultural, and economic ties dating back 5,000 years. Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1955 and upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2008.
During his stay, Sultan Haitham will be called on by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. On December 16, he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit also includes a tour to the National Gallery of Modern Art and a meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House on the second day. PM Modi will host a luncheon in honor of the Sultan, providing an opportunity to explore avenues for future collaboration between India and Oman in regional stability, progress, and prosperity.
A key aspect of the bilateral relationship lies in defense cooperation, with Oman being India's closest defense partner in the Gulf region. The two nations conduct regular bilateral exercises, and Oman actively participated in various G20 Summit meetings under India's G20 Presidency.
This state visit underscores the commitment to strengthening the multifaceted ties between India and Oman, fostering cooperation for mutual benefit and contributing to regional stability.
