Sushma Swaraj arrives in Oman for talks with key Gulf nation

MUSCAT: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived here today on her first official visit to Oman for talks with the oil-rich Gulf nation's top leadership.

This is Swaraj's third visit to the Gulf. She has earlier travelled to Bahrain in September and the United Arab Emirates in November last year, indicating the high importance attached by the new government on India's relations with the strategic region.

During her two-day visit here, Swaraj will hold extensive talks with her Omani counterpart Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah on bilateral, regional and other issues of mutual interest.

Interestingly, the first foreign minister that Swaraj received was Abdullah, who had visited New Delhi in June last year, soon after the BJP-led government assumed office as an emissary of the Omani leadership.

India and Oman have a very robust relationship based on extensive people-to-people contacts and historical economic and cultural exchanges.

There are over seven lakh Indians working in Oman in various sectors. They form the largest expatriate group in Oman. They also repatriate around USD 3 billion annually.