Economic integration is key in the development of Omani Indian relations

Omani Indian relations continue to witness clear and growing development across various fields. Economic integration stands out as a key pillar that aligns with the ambitions of both countries and their shared aspirations.

In this context, the state visit of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, to the Sultanate of Oman marks an important milestone in the course of these historic relations between the two friendly countries. These relations extend back centuries through strong economic, cultural and trade ties between the Omani and Indian peoples.

The Republic of India ranks as the sixth largest trading partner of the Sultanate of Oman in terms of total exports. The volume of trade between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India reached around OMR 1.627 billion by the end of last September.

Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that the value of Omani exports to the Republic of India reached about OMR 528.7 million by the end of last September. Total Omani imports from the Republic of India amounted to around OMR 1.0769 billion.

Direct investment from the Republic of India in the Sultanate of Oman reached OMR 268.4 million by the end of the second quarter of the current year. Direct Omani investment in the Republic of India reached about OMR 5.5 million by the end of 2024.

The number of establishments with Indian investment in the Sultanate of Oman reached around 61 by 2024.

The number of visitors of Indian nationality reached about 609,789 by November 2025.

Issa Saleh Abdullah Saleh Alshibani, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to India, said that Omani Indian relations stand out for their deep historical roots and a renewed strategic vision. In recent years, these relations have seen a qualitative shift. The most notable milestone was the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India in December 2023 and the issuance of the Joint Vision statement. The two countries have also expanded defence and security cooperation and the Sultanate of Oman became the first Gulf country to conduct joint exercises with the various branches of the Indian armed forces.

On the economic front, the Omani market hosts more than 6,000 joint projects with investments exceeding USD 7.5 billion.

Oman’s participation as Guest of Honour at the G20 Summit in India also reflected recognition of its balanced and constructive role at the regional and international levels.

Ambassador Alshibani added that the visit comes at a strategic time to strengthen political coordination and exchange views on regional and international issues. It also provides an opportunity to move towards signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This would support economic diversification efforts and stimulate investment in line with Oman Vision 2040.

The Ambassador noted that the Sultanate of Oman and India share a clear vision in several strategic sectors.

In the energy sector, cooperation continues to grow in green hydrogen and ammonia projects by leveraging Omani resources and Indian expertise.

In ports and logistics, Oman is developing maritime connectivity with India through the ports of Sohar, Duqm and Salalah. This aims to position Oman as a regional trade hub and reduce supply chain costs.

He explained that Oman and India share ambitious priorities in clean energy. The two countries have launched joint industrial investments to produce green hydrogen and ammonia. Oman’s strategic location also positions it as an ideal logistics hub linking Asian markets with the region. Both countries show strong interest in port development and supply chain connectivity.

He clarified that the visit carries a clear message of Oman’s commitment to a long term strategic partnership based on mutual respect. It confirms the desire of both countries to expand cooperation, particularly in the digital economy, clean energy, food security and health care. It also underlines the importance of strengthening institutional work to implement bilateral initiatives in line with the aspirations of the two friendly peoples.

Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Omani Indian relations represent a model of productive cooperation. He noted that the Republic of India is one of Oman’s largest trading partners. Ongoing efforts continue to expand cooperation in line with the priorities of Oman Vision 2040 and global economic transformations.

The Chairman of the OCCI added that the visit will open broader horizons for cooperation in promising fields. These include renewable energy and green hydrogen, digital technologies, food security and pharmaceutical industries. It will also strengthen the role of small and medium enterprises in building direct partnerships between the two countries.

He noted that the Chamber will continue its efforts to intensify cooperation with the Indian private sector. It will enable Omani business owners to learn about the opportunities offered by India as one of the world’s largest economies. At the same time, it will promote the investment advantages available in the Sultanate of Oman. This will take place through sending and hosting trade delegations across various economic sectors.

He affirmed the Chamber’s active role in organising economic meetings and forums that bring together business owners and investors from the Sultanate of Oman and India. These platforms provide an ideal opportunity to explore joint investment prospects, conclude strategic partnerships and enhance trade exchange between the two sides. They also highlight best practices and innovations in vital sectors.

For her part, Lujaina bint Mohsin Darwish, Honorary President of the Omani Indian Friendship Association, explained that the visit represents a strong boost to the course of economic relations between the two countries. The Omani business community views the visit as a promising opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership and open new avenues for investment.

She said that business leaders hope the visit will help simplify procedures, facilitate visas and develop logistics connectivity. This would support trade flows and increase the attractiveness of joint investment. The private sector also expects the visit to result in new economic initiatives, particularly in technology, renewable energy and manufacturing industries.

She affirmed that the visit offers an opportunity to pave the way for joint projects between Omani and Indian companies. It will also open wider marketing channels for the products of both countries and enhance industrial and commercial cooperation. This will have a positive impact on the business environment and strengthen Oman’s position as a regional hub for trade and investment.

For his part, Faisal bin Alawi Al Dhaib, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Mamlaka Investment Services, explained that the visit represents a pivotal milestone in the course of strategic relations between the two countries. It carries promising opportunities with direct implications for the economic and investment sectors.

He said that Omani business leaders view the visit with great optimism. This comes in light of the shared direction of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India towards strengthening economic integration and developing cross sector partnerships. He expressed hope that the visit will help establish a clearer framework to facilitate mutual investment, update regulatory procedures and open more flexible pathways for companies seeking to enter joint projects or expand into regional markets.

He noted that India is a key economic partner of the Sultanate of Oman. The visit offers significant opportunities to open new marketing channels for Omani products in the vast Indian market. It will also strengthen the presence of Indian products in the Omani market. This would enable a more balanced and dynamic economic exchange.

He affirmed that the economic agreements signed between the two countries over recent years have formed an important foundation for strengthening economic ties. They have contributed to reducing customs duties, accelerating trade flows and facilitating the entry of Omani products into the Indian market and vice versa.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.