Will PM Modi’s Visit to Oman Strengthen Ties and Create New Opportunities?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strengthened Bilateral Relations: PM Modi's visit is expected to enhance ties between India and Oman.
- Economic Cooperation: Focus on collaboration in sectors like energy and healthcare.
- Trade Agreements: Potential discussions around a Free Trade Agreement.
- Cultural Bonds: Historic connections between the two nations go beyond business.
- Investment Opportunities: Encouragement for Omani investors to consider India as a manufacturing hub.
Muscat, Oman, Dec 17 (NationPress) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi gears up for his visit to Oman, members of the Indian business and professional community expressed a wave of optimism regarding this significant occasion. They believe it represents a pivotal chance to enhance the India–Oman relationship while fostering collaboration in key sectors including energy, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, and logistics.
In a conversation with IANS in Muscat, Indian industry leaders noted that the Prime Minister’s visit is timely, given both nations' desire to amplify their partnership through structured discussions and a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Nirmal K Minda, Executive Chairman of Uno Minda Limited, emphasized that this visit could pave the way for collaboration across various sectors.
“Oman’s low energy prices combined with India’s robust manufacturing framework create a natural synergy,” Minda articulated.
From India’s vantage point, he noted that it would be beneficial for Omani investors to consider India as a manufacturing hub under the Make in India initiative.
“Manufacturing in India provides access to skilled labor, a challenge in Oman, while Oman can serve as a vital logistics and trading nexus connecting the region, including the UAE,” he specified.
Similarly, Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, reiterated that the Prime Minister’s visit is poised to further reinforce the already solid bonds between India and Oman.
“Indians have been instrumental in contributing to Oman’s development over the decades and are highly regarded for the value they bring to the nation’s economy and society,” Reddy emphasized.
She added that as trade agreements expand, the social and cultural ties between the two nations will also grow stronger.
Providing a broader historical context, Saleh Mohamed Alshanfari, Chairman of Alizz Foods LLC, remarked that India and Oman’s relationship transcends mere business.
“Maritime connections, cultural exchanges, and social ties have intertwined the two nations for centuries,” he concluded.