India-Oman Joint Vision Is A Partnership For Future: PM Modi Holds Talks With Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik

Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted the progress of CEPA agreement talks and said two rounds of successful discussions have already taken place.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik aiming to boost bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, including trade and investment. The Prime Minister welcomed the Sultan and his delegation and said the 'India-Oman joint vision' is a partnership for the future. He said that ten areas have been identified in which concrete actions will be taken by the two countries to shape their partnership.

"I am happy to welcome you to India. Today is a historic day in Oman-India relations as after 26 years, the Sultan of Oman has come to India on a state visit and I have got the opportunity to welcome you. On behalf of the people of India, I welcome you..." the PM said.

"... Today we are adopting a new India-Oman joint vision, a partnership for future. In this joint vision, concrete action points have been agreed upon in ten different areas. I am confident that the joint vision will give a new and modern shape to our partnership," the Prime Minister further said.

Noting the positive progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), PM Modi expressed happiness and said that two rounds of discussion have been successfully completed, in which many important issues have been agreed upon. "I hope that we will soon be able to sign this agreement which will add a new dimension to our economic cooperation..." he added.

He said that as a guest country, Oman played a crucial role in the success of India's G20 Presidency. "India's proximity with Oman is not limited to geography, but is also reflected in trade, culture and our common priorities spanning thousands of years! We are building together a bright future on the foundation of this glorious history!" the Prime Minister said during delegation-level talks with Sultan of Oman.

Prime Minister Modi also congratulated Oman for qualifying for the T-20 Cricket World Cup to be held in 2024. "I congratulate you on this," he said.

The Sultan of Oman arrived in Delhi on a state visit on Friday, in his first trip to India as the top leader of the Gulf nation.

Speaking about the visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "The PM has just concluded his talks with the head of the state, the Sultanate of Oman, his majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who is currently on a state visit to India. His majesty is accompanied on this visit by a very high-level delegation comprising of his deputy PM for Defence, seven Cabinet ministers and three vice ministers."