In the final leg of his strategic four-day diplomatic tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oman on December 17 for a high-stakes two-day visit aimed at deepening political, economic and strategic cooperation between New Delhi and Muscat. The trip marks 70 years of diplomatic relations and highlights India’s expanding footprint in the Gulf region.
At the heart of the visit is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) — a landmark free-trade pact expected to be formally signed during Modi’s stay. The India-Oman CEPA is poised to remove or reduce tariffs, improve market access and facilitate investment flows, potentially doubling bilateral trade in the next few years.
Experts and business leaders in both countries describe the impending agreement as a game-changer. For India, enhanced access to Omani petrochemical and energy supplies strengthens long-term energy security, while Oman could benefit through expanded exports, investment and food security partnerships.
Beyond commerce, Modi is scheduled to hold talks with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, reinforcing defense cooperation and regional stability. The visit also includes a business forum and interactions with the Indian diaspora, reflecting the deep social and cultural links that bind the two nations.
Officials say the CEPA is a tangible milestone in India’s Gulf engagement, aligning with broader ambitions to diversify trade, fortify economic resilience and build strategic corridors of cooperation in energy, technology and logistics.
