According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Oman met for the 14th session of the Strategic Consultative Group (IOSCG) in Muscat, where they addressed regional and international matters of shared interest.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs, and Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oman, co-chaired the meeting on Thursday.
“India and Oman enjoy historically warm, close, and friendly ties underpinned by trade and cultural linkages,” the MEA states. “The meeting reviewed the multifaceted strategic partnership between India and Oman in areas including political, defense, security, trade, investment, energy, agriculture, education, culture, and people-to-people ties.”
The diplomatic ties between India and Oman were established seventy years ago this year. According to a statement released by the MEA, “bilateral trade of US$10.61 billion (FY 2024-2025) and growing investments between both countries constitute a major pillar of the bilateral relations.”
According to the MEA, Oman is home to a thriving Indian population of about 675,000 people who act as a live bridge to improve relations between the two countries. The next round of IOSCG will take place in New Delhi in 2026 on a date that works for all parties, it was decided during the meeting.
In talks earlier on November 24, India and Oman reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense cooperation through advancements in the Military Logistic Complex, improved shipbuilding, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), training cooperation, and defense export opportunities.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and Oman’s Ministry of Defence Secretary General Mohammed Bin Nasser Bin Ali Al-Zaabi, who is presently in New Delhi for the 13th Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) meeting, had a conversation.
“General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, held an extensive interaction with HE Dr. Mohammed Bin Nasser Bin Ali Al-Zaabi, Secretary General, MoD, Sultanate of Oman,” the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters said in a statement posted on X. Through advancements in the Military Logistic Complex, improved cooperation in shipbuilding, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), increased training cooperation, and opportunities for defense exports, the talks reaffirmed the commitment to boost defense cooperation.
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