Muscat, Dec 24 (UNI) India and Oman on Tuesday signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of maritime transport, taking a step forward their strategic partnership.
The agreement was inked during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the Sultanate at the invitation of his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah.
Jaishankar, who is in the Sultanate on a two-day trip, also met Defence Minister Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, and discussed enhancing defence cooperation, a key pillar of the bilateral partnership.
The EAM reaffirmed India's commitment to expand robust defence, security and maritime ties.
India-Oman relations encompass a wide spectrum of activities in trade, energy and investment. However, it is bilateral defence cooperation and Oman’s role in regional affairs that make Oman important for India.
Oman has allowed India including Navy access to its Duqm port.

India is among Oman’s top trading partners. During 2018-19, bilateral trade was $5 billion. In 2018, India was the second largest importer of crude oil from Oman.
The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Oman in February 2018 was path breaking and has led to further consolidation of close ties as well as identifying new areas of cooperation.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Jaishankar's visit is in pursuit of India’s objective of enhanced engagement with the Gulf region which is in India’s extended neighbourhood.
It will provide an opportunity to hold in-depth discussions with the political leadership on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues and will advance India's growing engagement with Oman and the region.
India has vital stakes in the security and stability of the Gulf region. The safety and security of some 8 million Indian expatriates is a top priority.

During the visit, Jaishankar would interact with the Indian community on the premises of the Indian Embassy in the diplomatic quarter in Al Khuwair, who remit around $30 billion annually.
UNI SRJ