Muscat: India on Wednesday told Oman there was multiplicity of opportunities to step up bilateral ties, including as a supplier of natural gas even as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said more reforms will be unveiled in the coming days to attract foreign investment.
India and Oman reviewed their strategic ties and decided to expand defence and maritime cooperation in maintaining the stability and security of the Indian Ocean region.
Swaraj, on her first official visit to oil-rich Oman, met her counterpart Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah and reviewed bilateral political, economic, defence and security issues as well as the regional situation.
Swaraj, the first External Affairs Minister to visit Oman in seven years, also called on its Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and met Minister of the Royal Office and head of the Defence Council General Sultan bin Mohammed Ali Nuamani.
Official sources said the two sides explored opportunities on how Oman can contribute to India’s expanding opportunities, including as a natural gas supplier.
The two sides discussed the possibility of increased defence and security cooperation in Indian Ocean region, especially since it has been facing piracy problems.
“The two sides especially took stock of the current level of cooperation between the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force with their Omani counterparts and ways to boost the defence and security ties,†MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.
“Obviously there are a lot of things to catch up on. The focus has been on strategic issues. We hope this visit will set in motion a deeper engagement between Oman and India,” he said, adding the two sides focused on strategic aspects of relations as maritime neighbours.
During the meeting with Swaraj, Fahd said Oman is eager to boost ties with India.
Swaraj also briefed the Omani leadership about the economic reforms and growth agenda of the new Indian government and welcomed increased investments from the oil-rich nation.
“A number of reforms have been implemented. More are on the anvil, including in the forthcoming budget later this month,” Swaraj said addressing a gathering of Indian diaspora.
There are over seven lakh Indians working in Oman in various sectors. They form the largest expatriate group in Oman. They also repatriate around $3 billion annually.
India was also keen on cooperation with Oman in the cyber security area. “Cyber is an important area of discussion between the security agencies, or the security establishments in India and Oman,” Akbaruddin said.