India's high-level engagement with the Arab world continued as Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India from Egypt, where he signed a strategic partnership agreement with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. On Monday, NSA Ajit Doval travelled to the Sultanate of Oman to strengthen 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. According to the Oman News agency, 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.
“Doval also held wide ranging discussions with General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani, minister of the royal office. 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 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.