India promises to meet Oman’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements
MUSCAT: A meeting of the Indiaoman Strategic Consultative Group (IOSCG) was held in New Delhi on Thursday.
The meeting expressed happiness that the Air Bubble arrangement between the two countries is functioning well. The Omani side expressed appreciation that India had facilitated food and medical supplies to Oman during the pandemic. India assured Oman of assistance in its requirement for COVID-19 vaccines.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that despite the COVID-19 pandemic both the countries have kept in close touch and sustained momentum in further consolidation of their strategic relationship. Secretary (CPV&OIA) thanked the Omani side for taking excellent care of the large Indian community in Oman during the pandemic.
The Indian delegation was led by Sanjay Bhattacharya, Secretary (CPV&OIA), MEA, while the Omani delegation was led by Khalifa bin Ali al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs, Foreign Ministry. This was the first high-level official visit from Oman to India since the onset of COVID-19.
During the IOSCG meeting, both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of the India-oman relationship including in political, energy, trade, investment, defence, security, space, mining, S&T, culture and consular fields.
It was agreed that the two sides will pursue various agreements and memorandums of understanding (Mous) in these areas for a futureoriented relationship. They looked forward to trade and investment linkages regaining momentum once normalcy returns after COVID-19. They also discussed intensifying cooperation in the areas of health and food security. The two sides exchanged views on recent regional developments as well as global issues of mutual interest.
Dr S Jaishankar, Indian External Affairs Minister, also received Al Harthy and conveyed congratulations to the Omani side on the first anniversary of the reign of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. He reiterated the invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to His Majesty for a visit to India. He also looked forward to the continuous strengthening of the India-oman strategic partnership in various fields.
“Oman is a strategic partner of India in the Gulf and an important interlocutor at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab League and Indian Ocean Rim Association fora. Oman also accords high priority to its ties with India. The two countries across the Arabian Sea are linked by geography, history and culture, and enjoy warm and cordial relations.
“These are attributed to historical maritime trade contacts, close links of the royal family with India and the seminal role played by the Indian expatriate community in the building of Oman, which is acknowledged by the Omani Government,” a press statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.