The ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday set the tone for the Sultan's visit, where he was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. The Sultan, accompanied by a Guard of Honour by the combined defence services, inspected the ceremonial parade.
The visit, the first state visit by Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik to India, was characterized by a series of strategic engagements. The Sultan arrived at the Delhi airport on Friday and was received by Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan.
Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), highlighted the significance of the visit, stating that it would further reinforce the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Oman.
“His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman arrives to a warm welcome in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. The visit will further reinforce the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India & Oman and strengthen bilateral ties,” Bagchi tweeted.
The Sultan's itinerary included a visit to the National Gallery of Modern Art in the national capital, where he explored cultural ties and artistic expressions. A key meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House was on the agenda, emphasizing the diplomatic importance of the visit.
During the discussions, both leaders explored avenues for future collaboration between India and Oman, focusing on regional stability, progress, and prosperity. A luncheon hosted by PM Modi in honor of Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik provided an informal setting for further dialogue.
The MEA release emphasized the historical, cultural, and economic ties that bind India and Oman, with a rich history of people-to-people contact dating back 5,000 years. The diplomatic relations, established in 1955, were upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2008.
Defence cooperation emerged as a key pillar of the strategic partnership, with Oman being India's closest defence partner in the Gulf region. Regular bilateral exercises and service-level staff talks between the armed forces of both nations underscored the depth of this collaboration.
In a notable gesture, India extended a special invitation to Oman to participate in the G20 Summit and meetings as a guest country under India's G20 Presidency. Oman actively engaged in over 150 working group meetings, with nine of its ministers participating in various G20 ministerial meetings, showcasing the Sultanate's commitment to global cooperation.
As Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik's visit concluded, the outcomes were not merely symbolic but held the promise of strengthened ties and collaborative efforts between India and Oman. The visit served as a testament to the shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, reflecting the common goals and aspirations of both nations.
(inputs from ANI)
