Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat

Muscat, Dec 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded an enthusiastic welcome by members of the Indian community in Muscat on Wednesday, with hundreds of people waving Indian flags and raising patriotic slogans as they gathered outside his hotel to greet him. The atmosphere was celebratory as chants of “Modi Modi,” “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” and “Vande Mataram” echoed during his arrival.

The Prime Minister warmly interacted with members of the diaspora, greeting many personally and witnessing cultural performances organised in his honour. The event reflected the strong people-to-people bonds between India and Oman and the affection of the Indian community for the visiting leader.

PM Modi arrived in Muscat for the third and final leg of his three-nation tour. At the airport, he was received by Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was accorded to him, marking the significance of the visit.

Sharing his thoughts on social media, the Prime Minister described Oman as a nation with deep historical ties to India, saying the visit would help explore new areas of cooperation and give fresh momentum to bilateral relations.

This marks PM Modi’s second visit to Oman and comes at a particularly meaningful time, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The visit follows Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s state visit to India in December 2023, highlighting the sustained high-level engagement between New Delhi and Muscat.

During his stay, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold wide-ranging discussions with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, covering trade and investment, energy cooperation, defence and security, technology, agriculture, and cultural exchanges. Regional and global issues of shared concern are also expected to feature in the talks.

Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said the Prime Minister would undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral ties and also engage with business leaders from both countries at a dedicated forum aimed at boosting commercial and investment links.

India and Oman share a comprehensive strategic partnership, with cooperation spanning energy security, maritime collaboration, and regional stability. Oman remains a key partner for India in the Gulf region.

PM Modi arrived in Oman after concluding a two-day State visit to Ethiopia, where he addressed a joint session of Parliament, visited historic sites, and was honoured with the country’s highest civilian award, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. In a gesture underscoring the warmth of bilateral ties, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally accompanied PM Modi to the airport and bid him farewell before his departure for Oman.

The Muscat visit is expected to further strengthen India-Oman relations and set the stage for deeper cooperation in the years ahead.