NSA Ajit Doval meets Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, foreign minister to boost ties

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India from Egypt, where he signed a strategic partnership agreement with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, India's high-level engagement with the Arab world continued with NSA Ajit Doval travelling to the Sultanate of Oman on Monday to boost bilateral cooperation, including in defence and security.

Doval called on Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and delivered a personal message of greetings from Modi, said the Indian government. Doval also held talks with Oman's foreign minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi with a focus on possible bilateral cooperation in the spheres of technology, military matters and mining, the Oman News Agency reported.

"NSA also held wide ranging discussions with General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani, minister of the royal office, and foreign minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. The discussions enabled a high level review of the multifaceted bilateral relations between India and the Sultanate of Oman with focus on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas for economic & technological development, mutual security and regional stability," said the government in a statement.


According to the government, the NSA's visit reflected the strong bilateral relation between India and Oman, the importance of the Arab country as a key partner of India in the Gulf and highlighted India's commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with the Sultanate.

"The visit provided an opportunity for high-level engagements and further cemented the strong bonds of friendship between India and the Sultanate of Oman," said the government. The two officials further discussed a number of regional and international issues and underscored the emphasis of the leadership of the two countries on espousing policies of constructive dialogue and international cooperation, the Omani news agency said.