PM Modi To Visit The Only Muslim Nation That Stood By India Since 1971, Gave Navy Rare Access – Is A Major Deal About To Break? | World News
India Gulf Diplomacy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up for a visit to Oman next week. The trip carries a weight far beyond protocol. For over seven decades, Muscat has stood alongside India as one of its closest and most trusted Muslim partners in West Asia. His leadership has carved out a unique place among India’s friends in the region by frequently speaking out for India on challenging global platforms, especially on terrorism-related issues.
A Visit Watched Closely by Pakistan
Officials who follow regional politics believe that this visit will not go unnoticed in Islamabad. Oman has always maintained a strong and consistent relationship with New Delhi, and its cooperation with India has grown remarkably in the areas of defence, trade and energy.
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People familiar with the long line of India-Oman relations say it is one of the most enduring in the Gulf.
Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
According to a report by ET, the prime minister will travel to Muscat to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The visit comes almost two years after Omani ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tarik made his first official visit to New Delhi in December 2023.
His trip has paved the way for deeper interaction and Prime Minister Modi’s arrival is expected to carry this momentum forward.
Pass given to Indian Navy
Oman has consistently demonstrated a level of trust that India has rarely seen from any country in the region. It is the only Muslim-majority country that openly supported India during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Defense cooperation has increased steadily since then. Oman is the first Gulf country to hold joint exercises with three Indian services, an official with knowledge of the military contacts said.
The bond was further strengthened when Oman allowed the Indian Navy access to the port of Duqm in the Indian Ocean. This single decision gave India a logistical foothold in West Asia, expanding its maritime presence and strengthening its naval operations in a region vital for global trade.
A Muslim Nation That Constantly Supports India
There is now a strong community of Indian origin intertwined with Omani society, with a lot of influence and responsibility. Muscat has always maintained a friendly voice for India, even within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), especially on issues related to terrorism.
Diplomats see this as a rare and meaningful gesture in a region where political alliances are rapidly shifting.
Economic Partnership Set for a New Rise
Experts say Modi’s visit could pave the way for the long-discussed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Such an agreement would provide a solid and predictable framework for bilateral trade.
Figures shared by the Indian Embassy in Muscat show how fast the trade relationship is already growing. Bilateral trade increased from US$ 8.95 billion in 2023-24 to US$ 10.61 billion in 2024-25. Authorities expect the upward trend to continue as investment and energy cooperation strengthens.
