INDIA-OMAN RELATIONSHIP (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: "Recently, India initiated discussions with Oman on a comprehensive trade agreement, aiming not only for immediate advantages such as reduced duties but also foreseeing the potential to expand its influence in West Asia, as stated in a report."

• India and Oman are negotiating a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), under which the two countries could significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods agreed between them.

India-Oman Relations

• Political Relations: India considers Oman a crucial ally in the Gulf, serving as a strategic partner in various forums including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab League, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
• Defence Cooperation: India and Oman conduct regular biennial bilateral exercises between all three services. Army exercise: Al Najah, Air Force exercise: Eastern Bridge and Naval Exercise: Naseem Al Bahr.
• Economic Relations: India is among Oman’s top trading partners. India is the 2nd largest market for Oman’s crude oil exports for the year 2022 after China.
• India is also the 4th largest market for Oman’s non-oil exports for the year 2022 after UAE, US and Saudi Arabia and 2nd largest source of its import after UAE.

Oman

• About: Oman, country occupying the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula at the confluence of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
• Bounded by: Southwest - Yemen, South and East - Arabian Sea, North - Gulf of Oman, Northwest - United Arab Emirates West - Saudi Arabia.
• Capital: Muscat
• Mountain Ranges: North (Al-Hajar) and southeast coast (Qara or Dhofar Mountains)
• Gulf of Oman: It also known as the Gulf of Makran or Sea of Makran, forms the only entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Pakistan and Iran in the north, by the United Arab Emirates in the west and by Oman in the south.