PM Modi Receives Oman’s Highest Honour as India-Oman Ties Reach New Milestone

Muscat, Dec 2025 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received one of Oman’s most prestigious honours on Thursday, as Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik conferred upon him The First Class of the Order of Oman. The award places PM Modi among an elite group of global figures, including Queen Elizabeth, Queen Maxima, Emperor Akihito, Nelson Mandela, and King Abdullah of Jordan. It also marks the 29th international honour presented to the Indian leader.

The special ceremony in Muscat came just two days after Ethiopia awarded PM Modi its highest civilian recognition, the Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia. Presented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, the award acknowledged Modi’s role in strengthening bilateral relations and his influential leadership on the global stage. Speaking after the ceremony, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Ethiopia’s leadership and citizens for the distinguished honour.

PM Modi’s visit to Oman continued his diplomatic engagements, as he met Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik earlier on Thursday to discuss expanding the already strong strategic partnership. Their meeting at Muscat’s Al Baraka Palace saw the signing and exchange of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, aimed at deepening sectoral cooperation and boosting economic momentum.

A major highlight of the talks was the completion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which both leaders described as a historic step in bilateral relations. They said the agreement would significantly enhance trade, investment, and economic collaboration. Discussions also covered defence, security, energy, agriculture, technology, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other senior officials were present during the high-level talks.

Celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs described the meeting as a symbol of a “shared maritime heritage and common destiny.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said both leaders reviewed the partnership and reaffirmed mutual commitment to expanding cooperation across traditional and emerging sectors.

PM Modi also addressed the Indian diaspora at the ‘Maitri Parv’ event in Muscat, where thousands gathered to welcome him. Later, he spoke at the India-Oman Business Forum, encouraging Omani companies to explore investment opportunities in India. He highlighted new areas of interest, including innovation, manufacturing, and renewable energy, stressing that India’s economic transformation offers vast possibilities for global partners.

The Indian Prime Minister arrived in Muscat on Wednesday, the final stop of his three-nation tour. He was warmly received at the airport by Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, who welcomed him with a ceremonial Guard of Honour.

This visit marks PM Modi’s second trip to Oman, underscoring the strategic depth of bilateral engagement and the steady rise of India-Oman cooperation in recent years. The timing also adds symbolic value, aligning with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and following Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s state visit to India in December 2023.

The Indian community in Oman, numbering over 700,000, greeted PM Modi with enthusiastic celebrations outside his hotel, waving flags and chanting patriotic slogans. The warm reception highlights the strong cultural bonds between the two nations and the contribution of Indian workers to Oman’s development.

India and Oman share a broad collaborative framework across energy security, maritime safety, regional stability, and security cooperation. With the signing of CEPA and continued high-level engagement, officials believe the partnership is set to achieve greater momentum in the years ahead.