MUSCAT : The visit comes at a time when bilateral ties are witnessing strong momentum across economic, trade, investment and strategic sectors, building on centuries-old cultural and commercial links between the two nations. It will be Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to Oman since His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik assumed the throne and is expected to further align shared ambitions and long-term strategic priorities.
India currently ranks as Oman’s sixth-largest trading partner in terms of total exports. According to figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, bilateral trade between Oman and India reached approximately RO 30.369 million by the end of last September. Omani exports to India stood at around RO 17.182 million, while imports from India amounted to RO 13.187 million during the same period.
Investment ties have also continued to strengthen. Indian direct investment in Oman reached RO 268.4 million by the end of the second quarter of this year, while direct Omani investments in India stood at about RO 5.5 million by the end of 2024. Around 61 Indian-invested establishments are currently operating in Oman, and the Sultanate received nearly 609,789 Indian visitors by November 2025, underlining the depth of people-to-people connections.
His Excellency Issa bin Saleh Al Shaibani, Oman’s Ambassador to India, said bilateral relations are marked by historical depth and a renewed strategic vision, noting a qualitative leap in recent years. He highlighted His Majesty the Sultan’s visit to India in December 2023 and the launch of the Joint Vision document as key milestones, alongside strengthened defence and security cooperation. Oman was the first Gulf country to conduct joint military exercises with multiple branches of the Indian armed forces, he noted.
On the economic front, Al Shaibani said the Omani market hosts more than 6,000 joint projects with investments exceeding US$7.5 billion. He added that Oman’s participation as a guest of honour at the G20 Summit in India reflected international recognition of the Sultanate’s balanced and constructive regional role.
The ambassador said Prime Minister Modi’s visit comes at a strategic time to enhance political coordination and exchange views on regional and international issues, while also paving the way for the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement is expected to support economic diversification and stimulate investment in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Energy cooperation is expected to feature prominently during the visit, with both countries sharing a clear vision in strategic sectors such as green hydrogen and ammonia. Oman’s natural resources, combined with Indian expertise, have already laid the groundwork for joint clean energy projects. In ports and logistics, Oman is working to strengthen maritime connectivity with India through Sohar, Duqm and Salalah, positioning the Sultanate as a regional trade hub and helping reduce global supply chain costs.
His Excellency Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, described Oman–India relations as a model of fruitful cooperation, stressing India’s position as one of Oman’s largest trading partners. He said the visit is expected to open broader avenues of cooperation in renewable energy, digital technologies, food security, pharmaceuticals and small and medium enterprises.
The Chamber, he added, will continue intensifying engagement with the Indian private sector, while promoting Oman’s investment potential through trade delegations, economic forums and business matchmaking platforms aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and partnerships.
Her Excellency Lujaina bint Mohsin Darwish, Honorary President of the Omani-Indian Friendship Association, said the visit provides a strong boost to economic relations and is viewed by the Omani business community as a promising opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation. She noted expectations that the visit will lead to simplified procedures, easier visa processes and improved logistics connectivity, supporting trade growth and joint investment.
Echoing this sentiment, Faisal bin Alawi Al Dheeb, Chairman of Kingdom Investment Services, described the visit as a pivotal moment for economic and investment ties. He said business leaders are optimistic that it will help modernise regulatory frameworks, facilitate mutual investments and open new pathways for joint ventures and regional expansion.
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Oman aims to enhance trade, energy, and strategic ties, building on historical connections. The visit is expected to align shared ambitions, boost economic cooperation, and pave the way for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Energy collaboration, particularly in green hydrogen, and improved logistics connectivity are key focal points.