Dr Jaishankar thanked the Omani side for taking excellent care of the large Indian community in Oman during the pandemic and lauded the cooperation between the countries during the COVID pandemic and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the close Strategic Partnership.
New Delhi: India and Oman on Wednesday, March 23, signed an MoU pledging to boost bilateral ties in multiple sectors.
The MoU was inked in the presence of Oman's Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Hamad Hamood Al Busaidi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the close Strategic Partnership," a Joint Statement said.
Both the Ministers underscored that as neighbours "united by the waters of Arabian Sea, both the countries have an important role in the maritime safety and security in the region".
Both the leaders welcomed the decision to expeditiously implement proposals for joint cooperation in space, mining, maritime and science & technology sectors.
Both sides noted with satisfaction the continued intensification of close interactions at all levels, including telephonic conversations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik; regular meetings and contact between Foreign Ministers and visit of Secretary-General of Oman's Ministry of Defence to India.
The Joint Statement also said that both the Ministers "applauded" the conferment of Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 on Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said by the Government of India as recognition of his visionary leadership, his efforts to promote peace, as well as his immense contribution in strengthening the India-Oman friendship.
Dr Jaishankar thanked the Omani side for taking excellent care of the large Indian community in Oman during the pandemic and lauded the cooperation between the countries during the COVID pandemic.
The External Affairs Minister noted that Oman was the first country in the region to accord approval to indigenously developed COVAXIN attesting to the close and friendly relations between the two countries.
India's assistance in supplying critical medicines, including Hydroxychloroquine and COVID vaccine and Oman's assistance in
providing ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other critical equipment during India's second phase was a humanitarian gesture
well-received by both sides, the statement said.
Both sides "noted with satisfaction" that the bilateral trade was not adversely affected during the pandemic and agreed that there is
significant potential to enhance bilateral trade.
The two Ministers underscored the need to enhance momentum in trade and investment linkages as the economies of both countries show strong signs of post-pandemic recovery.
