MENA Newswire, MUSCAT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Thursday conferred with the Order of Oman, the Sultanate’s highest civilian honour, by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik during an official ceremony in Muscat. The award recognizes Modi’s contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between India and Oman and advancing cooperation in areas including trade, energy, defence, and culture. The investiture took place at Al Alam Palace as part of Modi’s two-day state visit to Oman, which concluded his three-nation diplomatic tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman. The visit coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and the Sultanate, underscoring the longstanding partnership between the two countries rooted in centuries of maritime and cultural links across the Arabian Sea.
In his remarks following the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and dedicated the award to the people of India and Oman. He highlighted the “enduring friendship” between the two nations, noting that the honour represented the shared values of mutual respect and cooperation that have defined India-Oman relations for decades. The Order of Oman was established in 1970 by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and is conferred upon foreign dignitaries and distinguished individuals for exceptional service in strengthening ties with the Sultanate. Previous recipients include global leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II, Emperor Akihito of Japan, Nelson Mandela, and King Abdullah II of Jordan. Modi’s inclusion in this distinguished list marks a continuation of Oman’s tradition of recognizing influential global partners.
The honour adds to Prime Minister Modi’s growing list of international accolades, making it the 29th highest civilian award he has received from foreign governments since taking office in 2014. Over the past decade, he has been decorated with top honours from countries including the United States, France, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Fiji, and Sri Lanka. These recognitions reflect India’s expanding diplomatic footprint and the country’s evolving global partnerships under his leadership. Oman and India maintain robust and multifaceted relations anchored in trade, energy cooperation, defence collaboration, and cultural exchange. India is among Oman’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 13 billion in 2024. Both nations have worked to enhance cooperation in maritime security and logistics, with India gaining access to key Omani ports such as Duqm for logistical and maintenance support.
Bilateral cooperation expands through CEPA framework
The partnership has also expanded into renewable energy and infrastructure development, reflecting shared economic priorities. During the visit, the two governments signed several agreements aimed at strengthening economic engagement. Among these was a framework for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), designed to facilitate investment, technology exchange, and job creation across key sectors. Officials from both sides emphasized the importance of these initiatives in diversifying trade and deepening connectivity between South Asia and the Gulf region. Cultural and historical ties form a significant part of India–Oman relations. Centuries-old trade and migration links have created a large Indian diaspora in the Sultanate, estimated at over 700,000, contributing actively to Oman’s economic development. Both nations have consistently highlighted this people-to-people connection as a pillar of their diplomatic engagement.
The conferment ceremony was attended by senior Omani ministers, Indian diplomats, and members of the Indian community in Muscat. A guard of honour and formal state banquet followed the award presentation. Discussions during the visit covered cooperation in energy transition, defence manufacturing, food security, and infrastructure investment. With this recognition, all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have now conferred their highest honours on the Indian Prime Minister, marking a rare distinction in India’s diplomatic history. The awards collectively signify the deepening strategic engagement between India and the Gulf region, which remains vital for energy security, trade, and the welfare of millions of Indian expatriates.
Oman honour signals enduring regional partnership
Prime Minister Modi’s visit concluded with a reaffirmation of both nations’ commitment to regional peace, stability, and economic growth. Officials on both sides described the conferral of the Order of Oman as a symbolic milestone in an enduring partnership that continues to evolve across new domains of cooperation, reflecting the shared aspirations of India and Oman in a rapidly changing global environment. The discussions also underscored joint efforts to enhance maritime security, expand renewable energy collaboration, and promote sustainable development initiatives. Both governments reiterated their focus on technological innovation, digital trade facilitation, and infrastructure investment, emphasizing the importance of inclusive growth and mutual prosperity across the Indian Ocean region and the wider Middle East.