India, Oman commit to defence, maritime cooperation, enhancing trade ties

New Delhi, March 23 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and visiting Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi on Wednesday decided to enhance cooperation in maritime security, boosting trade ties and cooperation in green energy. The two ministers, during their delegation level talks today, reaffirmed their commitment to the close bilateral Strategic Partnership. The EAM said in a tweet: “A pleasure to meet my good friend, FM @badralbusaidi of the Sultanate of Oman. “Discussed our growing cooperation in the political, economic, defence, energy, S&T, space, rare earths and people-to-people fields. “Witnessed the signing of a Science and Technology cooperation agreement. “Agreed as maritime neighbors, to scale up our cooperation for maritime security and safety in the region. “Exchanged views on the situation in the Gulf, Yemen and Ukraine.” The Oman FM in a tweet said: “Delighted to be in Delhi and meet my colleague @DrSJaishankar Minister of External Affairs #India. “We exchanged views on a wide range of topics to enhance our bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and international issues of common interest.” Both the Ministers highlighted the high priority accorded by the leadership of both the countries to bilateral relations based on high mutual trust and respect. Both Ministers underscored that as neighbors ted by the waters of Arabian Sea, both the countries have an important role in the maritime safety and security in the region, an official statement said. The Oman Foreign Minister, accompanied by a high level official delegation, is on an India visit from March 23-24. This is his first visit to India after appointment as the Foreign Minister in August 2020. During the talks both Ministers recalled the immense contribution of Late Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in the development of close strategic partnership between both the countries. Both applauded the conferment of Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 on Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said by Government of India in recognition of his visionary leadership, his efforts to promote peace as well as his immense contribution in strengthening India-Oman friendship. Both the Ministers positively assessed the multi-faceted India-Oman relations that span several areas of cooperation including political, strategic, defence, economy, energy, investment, space, mining, science and technology, culture, consular and humanitarian cooperation. They noted that while the traditional areas of cooperation are being further strengthened, new drivers of growth are expanding bilateral cooperation with new vigor and energy. Both Ministers welcomed the decision to expeditiously implement proposals for joint cooperation in space, mining, maritime and science & technology sectors. Both sides noted with satisfaction the continued intensification of close interactions at all levels including telephonic conversations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik; regular meetings and contact between Foreign Ministers; visit of Secretary General of Oman’s Ministry of Defence to India; meeting of Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC); holding of Foreign Office Consultations; visit of India’s Chief of the Naval Staff to Oman; visit of Commander of Royal Navy of Oman to India; bilateral Air Force exercise in India; meeting of Joint Maritime Committee etc. Both agreed for holding the Joint Commission Meeting at the level of Commerce Ministers, India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group Meeting (Foreign Office Consultations), Strategic Dialogue and JWG on Labor at an early date. They noted with satisfaction the continued momentum in defence cooperation as it remains one of the key pillars of the bilateral cooperation. Both welcomed the timely renewal of longstanding MoUs on military cooperation & maritime issues between India and Oman. In 2018 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Muscat, the two sides signed an agreement giving the Indian Navy access to facilities at Oman’s Duqm port. They welcomed the holding of 11th Joint Military Cooperation Committee Meeting (JMCC) in New Delhi in February 2022 which was co-chaired by Defence Secretary of India and Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence of Oman. Attesting to the trust and closeness in defence cooperation, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence of Oman became the first foreign dignitary to embark on India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier – Vikrant. The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made in military-to-military engagements, excellent logistics support provided by Omani authorities, and various ongoing infrastructure projects. Both leaders noted that the first visit of the incumbent Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (CRNO) to India in February 2022 will help in deepening cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman. It was agreed to initiate the exchange of White Shipping information expeditiously to increase the maritime domain awareness of both the countries. EAM thanked the Omani side for taking excellent care of the large Indian comm ty in Oman during the pandemic and lauded the cooperation between the countries during the COVID pandemic. EAM noted that Oman was the first country in the region to accord approval to indigenously developed COVAXIN attesting to the close and friendly relations between both the countries. The Ministers welcomed the forthcoming resumption of scheduled commercial passenger flights to their pre-pandemic capacity as per the bilateral air service agreement. Oman Air has started bookings for eight destinations in India – Goa, Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. Both Ministers noted with satisfaction that the bilateral trade was not adversely affected during the pandemic and agreed that there is significant potential to enhance bilateral trade in tune with the depth of India-Oman strategic partnership. They underscored the need to enhance momentum in trade and investment linkages as the economies of both the countries show strong signs of post-pandemic recovery. The Ministers welcomed the progress and cooperation in resolving trade barriers in respect of critical agro commodities. Both Ministers noted with satisfaction that several investment ideas continue to progress, and agreed to pursue opport ties in areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, green ammonia etc. Noting the synergy between the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik to position Oman as a global hub for green Hydrogen and green Ammonia, it was agreed to enhance cooperation in this area. Both Ministers agreed to finalize negotiations of the bilateral protocol on Investment and Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA) at an early date in a spirit of mutual understanding. Both Ministers attested to the strong potential of cooperation in renewable energy sector under the Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid. The Ministers also exchanged views on recent regional developments as well as global issues of mutual interest. They affirmed their keenness to work together in regional and international organizations and forums in order to achieve their common interests. Both Ministers thanked each others governments for consistently supporting their respective candidatures at various international organizations. The Ministers welcomed the signing of MOU between India Post and Oman Post for issuance of India-Oman Joint Commemorative Stamp. The joint stamp will highlight the millennia old shared cultural heritage between both countries and will be released in the last quarter of this year. Both Ministers welcomed the signing of the Program of Scientific and Technological cooperation between the two countries within the joint committees programs. RN