The 14th round of the India–Oman Strategic Consultative Group Meeting (IOSCG) took place in Muscat, hosted by the governments of Republic of India and Sultanate of Oman. The meeting was co-chaired by senior officials from both sides — Arun Kumar Chatterjee representing India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy representing Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The gathering served as a high-level platform to assess the breadth and depth of bilateral cooperation — touching on political, defence and security, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. The two sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening their longstanding partnership and charted a roadmap for future collaboration.
Expanding Cooperation: Beyond Politics and Defence
Broad Spectrum of Collaboration
The discussions during the IOSCG meeting covered a wide spectrum: from traditional domains like defence, security and political dialogue to more expansive areas such as trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education, culture, and people-to-people relations.
On the economic front, India and Oman recognized trade and investment as a crucial pillar of their relationship. The two countries highlighted growing mutual interests and underlined the importance of enhancing economic engagement in sectors such as energy, agriculture and education — all aimed at building a sustainable foundation for long-term growth and prosperity.
People-to-People Bonds: The Indian Community in Oman
An invaluable element of this partnership is the sizeable Indian diaspora in Oman, estimated at around 675,000 individuals. This vibrant community acts as a living bridge between the two nations — strengthening cultural linkages, nurturing social bonds and facilitating closer ties in everyday life. Their presence was acknowledged as a keystone in deepening bilateral understanding and cooperation.
Milestones and Mutual Gains: Why This Meeting Matters
Celebrating Seven Decades of Diplomatic Relations
This year marks 70 years since India and Oman first established diplomatic relations. Over the decades, the countries have built a relationship rooted not only in trade and mutual interest, but also in shared history, cultural affinity and friendly exchanges. The IOSCG meeting reinforces this heritage by reaffirming both nations’ commitment to charting a future together.
Strong Economic Momentum
The economic dimension of the relationship is already yielding tangible results. In the financial year 2024–2025, bilateral trade between India and Oman reportedly reached USD 10.61 billion, reflecting growing commercial engagement and rising mutual investments. This economic momentum, combined with renewed strategic engagements, sets the stage for deeper economic integration that could benefit businesses and citizens on both sides.
Strategic Outlook in a Changing World
Beyond bilateral concerns, the meeting also touched upon regional and global issues of mutual interest. In an increasingly interconnected world, regional security, energy stability, and cooperation in emerging sectors like agriculture, education and technology have become vital. By aligning on these fronts, India and Oman signal readiness to work collaboratively to meet both regional and global challenges.
What Lies Ahead: Plans and Expectations
One immediate outcome of the meeting is the agreement to hold the next round of the IOSCG in New Delhi next year, at a mutually convenient date. This commitment to continuity ensures that the momentum generated in Muscat will carry forward, paving the way for more concrete agreements and collaborative ventures.
Looking forward, both countries have laid the foundation for deeper cooperation across multiple sectors — trade, investment, energy collaboration, education exchanges, cultural initiatives and people-to-people connectivity. There is a clear expectation that this evolving dialogue will translate into meaningful projects, increased trade flows and enhanced strategic collaboration.
In a world increasingly shaped by shifting geopolitics and evolving global challenges, the India–Oman partnership — now reinforced through this 14th Strategic Consultative Meeting — stands out as a beacon of long-term commitment, mutual respect and shared ambition.
As both nations prepare for the next chapter of cooperation, there is optimism that their strengthened partnership will not only foster economic growth and strategic stability, but also build deeper human bonds across borders.
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