Muscat, Oman – Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a successful visit to Oman on Thursday, December 18, 2025, addressing the Indian community and highlighting the deepening ties between India and Oman. The Prime Minister's visit, the final leg of a three-nation tour, underscored the strategic importance India places on its relationship with the Gulf nation.
Upon his arrival on Wednesday, PM Modi was warmly received by Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, signaling the high regard both nations hold for each other. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across various sectors and advancing the strategic partnership.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Muscat, PM Modi lauded their role as a "living example of co-existence and co-operation". He emphasized the strong emotional connection between Indians overseas and their homeland, evoking chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram". Highlighting India's pluralistic ethos, Modi noted that diversity is the bedrock of Indian culture, fostering respect for diversity wherever Indians reside.
PM Modi also drew attention to the historical links between India and Oman, tracing back to ancient maritime trade routes guided by monsoon winds. He expressed delight that these historical ties from ports such as Lothal, Mandvi, and Tamralipti to Muscat, Sur, and Salalah have been documented. He described the India-Oman "Maitri Parv" as a celebration of the friendship, shared history, and prosperous future between the two countries. He explained that "M" stands for Maritime heritage, "A" for Aspirations, "I" for Innovation, "T" for Trust and Technology, "R" for Respect, and "I" for Inclusive Growth.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman. The agreement aims to significantly boost economic ties, building upon the already strong bilateral trade which stood at $10.613 billion in FY25, a rise from $8.947 billion in FY24. Investment links are robust, with over 6,000 India-Oman joint ventures operating in Oman. The CEPA is expected to enhance trade access and reduce tariffs on numerous goods and services. Under the agreement, Oman will provide India duty-free access to 98.08% of its tariff lines, covering 99.38% of what India exports to Oman. India, in turn, has offered liberalized tariffs on 77.79% of its total tariff lines, covering 94.81% of what it imports from Oman. India, however, has excluded sensitive sectors like dairy and key agricultural products from tariff concessions.
The Prime Minister also addressed the India-Oman Business Forum, emphasizing the wide-ranging reforms undertaken by India that have made it one of the most competitive markets globally. He highlighted reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. PM Modi stated that India is not just a market, but a model for the world, ranging from goods and services to cutting-edge digital solutions.
Oman is home to a large Indian diaspora, numbering around 675,000. They are employed across key sectors such as healthcare, engineering, education, finance, management and services, playing a vital role in the country's development. The Indian community is supported by 22 Indian schools, catering to the educational needs of over 48,000 students.
PM Modi's visit to Oman has not only strengthened the bonds between the two nations but also paved the way for enhanced economic and strategic cooperation in the years to come. The signing of the CEPA marks a significant milestone, promising to unlock new opportunities for trade and investment and further solidify the "Mini India in Muscat".
