Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Thursday awarded the Order of Oman, the country’s highest civilian honour, by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. Prime Minister Modi has gone to Oman on a two-nation tour. Earlier, during his visit to Oman, he was awarded Ethiopia’s highest civilian award – the Great Honor Mark of Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Modi has been honored with 29 foreign state awards. The Prime Minister is in Oman on the third leg of his three-nation tour. They have reached Oman after visiting Jordan and Ethiopia.
This visit to Oman is taking place on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed the India-Oman Business Forum in Muscat. The forum was attended by leading business representatives from both the countries in the sectors of energy, agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, financial services, green growth, education and connectivity.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted the age-old maritime trade relations between the two countries from Mandvi to Muscat, which is the cornerstone of vibrant commercial exchanges today.
He said that 70 years of diplomatic relations is a symbol of trust and friendship built over centuries. The Prime Minister called on business leaders to realize the full potential of the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA), which he described as a blueprint for India-Oman’s shared future.
He emphasized that CEPA will inject new energy into bilateral trade and investment relations and create opportunities for mutual development, innovation and employment.
Highlighting India’s economic success in the last 11 years, the Prime Minister said that the country is on the path to becoming the world’s third largest economy on the back of next generation reforms, policy forecasting, good governance and high investor confidence.
He further said that India’s high growth rate (over 8% in the last quarter) even in an environment of global uncertainty is a testament to its resilient nature and underlying strengths.
The Prime Minister emphasized that India is working rapidly and extensively to promote world-class infrastructure, logistics, connectivity, reliable supply chains, manufacturing capacity and green growth to improve ease of living and ease of doing business.
He invited Omani businesses to go beyond the traditional sectors of energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals and fertilizers and explore opportunities in the areas of green energy, solar parks, energy storage, smart grids, agricultural technology, fintech, AI and cyber security.
He proposed the creation of an India-Oman Agricultural Innovation Center and an India-Oman Innovation Bridge to future-proof the trade partnership. The Prime Minister emphasized that these are not mere ideas, but an invitation to invest, innovate and build the future together.
He appreciated the strong presence of business leaders at the event and called upon them to give wings to CEPA by integrating entrepreneurship and policy. He reaffirmed that India and Oman are strategic partners committed to stability, development and shared prosperity in the region and beyond.
Prime Minister Modi also addressed a large gathering of members of the Indian community in Muscat. More than 700 students from various Indian schools participated in this gathering. This year holds special significance for Indian schools in Oman as they celebrate 50 years of their establishment in the country.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said that diversity is the foundation of Indian culture – a value that helps them blend seamlessly into any society. He emphasized that co-existence and cooperation have been the hallmark of the Indian diaspora.
