‘Ask any Indian in Oman, they feel comfortable’: Envoy hails ties with India, mentions FTA talks|Interview

Hailing the long ties in between India and Oman, Issa Saleh Abdullah Alshiban, the Omani Ambassador to India, stated that Indians in the Gulf country feel comfortable as he stressed growing bilateral maritime tactical and financial cooperation in between the 2 nations. In a special discussion with Firstpost’s Bhagyasree Sengupta on Wednesday, the Omani envoy likewise stated India and Oman are close to inking the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which intends to strengthen ties in between the 2 countries by eliminating trade barriers.

The remarks from Ambassador Alshiban began the sidelines of an occasion with the Khazaen Economic City Delegation, which discussed its strategies to open the city’s doors to foreign financial investments.

“Oman provides a reputable base for growth into the Gulf and the broader Indian Ocean Region. Our financial investment environment is developed for clearness and self-confidence. For Indian business, Oman is a natural extension technique. From Muscat, you acquire an economical base in the Middle East, brief flying time, cultural convenience … Khazaen is among the locations where this vision fulfills useful chance, land is all set, rewards are clear, and the groups are empowered to assist you carry out,” Ambassador Alshiban stated at the occasion hung on Wednesday at the Embassy of The Sultanate of Oman in New Delhi.

The Omani envoy likewise extended warm birthday want Prime Minister Narendra Modi and revealed expect much deeper ties in between the 2 countries.

Modified excerpts

Q. This year, India and Oman are commemorating 70 years of diplomatic ties. What is your evaluation of how the relations in between the 2 countries have actually progressed throughout the years

The relationship in between Oman and India is actually deeply rooted in history. Some individuals have actually tape-recorded it to return to 5,000 years. Likewise, in current times, where we have actually seen so much of exchanging, in 2023, we saw the check out of His Majesty [Sultan Haitham bin Tarik]his very first see to India.

Ever since, the relationship has actually been actually raised into a tactical relationship. We have actually seen a joint file by the 2 leaders of the nations, where they have actually settled on the regards to what the set visions are for the relationship in between Oman and India.

Q. India and Oman just recently concluded settlements on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), raising expect a Free Trade Agreement. When can we anticipate the trade offer to be settled, and how do you see bilateral partnership, specifically in fields like energy, innovation, and farming?

Well, ideally, it [India-Oman FTA] will occur quickly. I believe the statement that came out was that the settlement stage has actually currently been finished, to the fulfillment of both nations. Now it goes through their legal and administrative system for the last approval.

Ideally at some point quickly by this year, we will truly witness the finalisation of all the procedures with regard to the CEPA contract. In regards to FTA, the focus will be on the removal of barriers so they make that trade and service are smooth in between the 2 countries.

This goal came out throughout the go to of His Majesty, because India is among our closest partners. The ties must be reinforced where a structure is put to help with, streamline and alleviate the service connections in between the 2 nations.

Q. With international energy security formulas moving due to local and geopolitical alliances, how are India and Oman teaming up on energy security and diversity?

In regards to energy, Oman is among the significant exporters of energy to India. New Delhi is among Oman’s third-largest importers of energy from the Gulf country. We are quite lined up with the policies of India.

We have actually been helpful of the Honourable Prime Minister’s [Narendra Modi] efforts in regards to the International Solar Alliance system. We are likewise quite lined up in regards to setting the vision for both nations to be significant markets in green hydrogen, in addition to bring in many renewable resource financial investments within the 2 nations.

Q. Over 700,000 Indian expats reside in Oman, comprising practically 20 percent of the nation’s population. How do you see this people-to-people link forming up the India-Oman bilateral ties?

I believe if you were to ask any Indian who is residing in Oman, he would state that he feels he is home amongst friends and family. It has actually been extremely close connections in between individuals in regards to history or in today time. We have actually even seen a boost in the variety of travelers originating from India due to the fact that of the heat that we have actually revealed them with regard to the people-to-people connection.

I would state it has actually been more powerful in regards to all the generations. I believe we ought to put some more efforts in location to enhance this relationship too in between the youths of both nations.

Q. Oman is opening its property sector for immigrants. Could you share more about the strategies?

Yes, so Oman has actually been opening particular zones for immigrants to own their homes. It’s an entirely freehold, and there is one method financiers can ensure that individuals will be offered an opportunity of protecting a residency visa, which permits them, too, to check out the nation in regards to other efforts.

What I have actually seen myself is that I have actually consulted with a couple of Indians who have actually picked Oman as their retirement community, and they have actually taken advantage of the Oman plan to enable migrants to acquire residencies.

Q. What is Oman’s Vision 2040? How can it assist India’s vision 2047?

Yes, I believe it’s all lined up, where we do not rely quite on one income. Oman’s Vision 2040 focuses on diversifying the economy, bringing innovation, of course, education and human-centred policies.

Among the crucial elements that we have actually seen both nations are actually concentrated on is the environment. In this regard, both nations have actually set their visions or targets for 2050 for net no. I believe in terms of efforts by the 2 nations in terms of renewables, we are seeing that we are really much lined up. In this manner, India and Oman might be genuine partners in regards to their vision.

Q. Oman is India’s closest neighbour in the Gulf area, with a tactical place near the Strait of Hormuz. How does Oman see India’s function in local maritime security and connection?

You understand, India and Oman have actually been strong in regards to dealing with many of the maritime dangers. Oman has actually been the very first and possibly the only nation that has actually been performing military workouts with India at the 3 forces level – Navy, Military and Air Force. We have actually been doing this for more than 10 years.

That reveals the nearness in between the 2 nations’ military forces. It lacks a doubt, and it has actually been tape-recorded, how India’s maritime security forces have actually been playing a significant function in the Indian Ocean.

Q. Ambassador, let’s end this on a lighter note. Today is Prime Minister Modi’s birthday. Any dreams from Oman?

Yes, we extend our sincere dreams to the Honourable Prime Minister on his birthday. I take this chance to send our congratulations from the federal government and individuals of Oman. We are looking forward to enhancing this relationship with India and raising it to all various levels, either through the federal government or through the individuals of India.