India’s Ambassador to Oman, Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas, has described maritime security as the central pillar of the India–Oman strategic partnership, underscoring the depth of defence cooperation ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation.

In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Ambassador Srinivas said defence ties remain the strongest and most active dimension of bilateral relations, reflecting the strategic trust between the two countries. He noted that India and Oman have maintained a comprehensive defence collaboration since their relationship was formally elevated to a strategic partnership in 2008.

“Defence cooperation is an area of continuous engagement between India and Oman. Armed forces from all three services—the Army, Navy and Air Force—regularly conduct joint exercises with their Omani counterparts. In addition, the Coast Guards of both countries hold periodic interactions, reinforcing coordination at sea,” the Ambassador said.

He highlighted that maritime security lies at the heart of this cooperation, given the shared interests of India and Oman in maintaining stability across critical sea lanes in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. An MoU signed earlier this year further strengthened the framework for enhanced defence collaboration, particularly in maritime domain awareness, capacity building and operational coordination.

The Ambassador also said the Indian community in Oman, estimated at around 675,000 people, is eagerly awaiting Prime Minister Modi’s arrival. “The Indian diaspora here plays a vital role in Oman’s development and serves as a living bridge between our two countries,” he added.

According to Srinivas, Prime Minister Modi’s discussions with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq are expected to be wide-ranging and comprehensive, covering political, defence and security cooperation, trade and economic relations, education, culture, technology, and people-to-people ties. Diaspora-related issues are also expected to figure prominently during the visit.

He noted that beyond defence, India and Oman are exploring new areas of synergy, particularly in sustainable development and green growth. Indian companies are already active in sectors such as steel manufacturing, green hydrogen, port management and logistics, contributing significantly to Oman’s economic diversification agenda.

Tracing the historical depth of ties, the Ambassador said economic engagement between India and Oman is rooted in centuries-old maritime trade links. “Our connection goes back nearly 5,000 years, through maritime trade, coin exchange and cultural interaction. Over the last 250 years, Indians have lived and worked in Oman, contributing meaningfully to its growth and development,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Oman on Wednesday at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour, which also included Jordan and Ethiopia. This is Modi’s second visit to Oman and comes at a particularly significant moment, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The visit also follows Sultan Haitham’s State Visit to India in December 2023, underscoring the momentum of high-level political engagement. During the visit, the two leaders are expected to hold in-depth talks on trade and investment, energy cooperation, defence and security, agriculture, technology, and cultural exchanges, while also exchanging views on regional and global developments.

Observers say the visit reflects the growing strategic convergence between India and Oman, with maritime security, economic cooperation and people-to-people ties forming the backbone of an increasingly robust partnership.