Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Oman’s national honor — First Class of the Order of Oman — on Thursday.
Modi received the sultanate’s unique civilian honors from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq during his two-day visit to Oman for his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties.
This is Prime Minister Modi’s 29th highest honour.
PM Modi has also received honors such as the Nishan of Ethiopia Grand Honor and Kuwait’s Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister also met Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said and discussed issues of common and bilateral interest.
Modi, who arrived in Oman on Wednesday on the last leg of his three-nation tour, was welcomed by Sultan Haitham at the Al Baraka Palace in Muscat ahead of the bilateral meeting.
Meanwhile, India and Oman on Thursday signed a free trade agreement that will provide duty-free access to 98 percent of India’s exports, including textiles, agricultural and leather goods in Oman.
On the other hand, India will reduce tariffs on Omani products such as dates, marbles and petrochemicals.
The agreement is expected to enter into force from the first quarter of the next calendar year. The pact comes at a time when India faces steep 50 percent tariffs on its biggest export destination, the US.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Muscat.
Modi also addressed the India-Omani Business Forum in Muscat.
The forum was attended by leading business representatives from both countries in the fields of energy, agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, green development, education and connectivity.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister urged businessmen to tap the full potential of the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA), which he described as a blueprint for a shared future between India and Oman.
He emphasized that CEPA will bring new energy to bilateral trade and investment ties and create opportunities for mutual growth, innovation and employment.
