Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Oman’s strong and unbreakable bonds of friendship with India are only set to get stronger, according to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi was addressing Non Resident Indians at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, during his first state visit to the Sultanate, as part of a three-nation tour to the Middle East, which includes the UAE and Palestine.
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His government is currently instituting a raft of legislations to make India more transparent and easily accessible as the country looks to harness the power of digital world to realise its true potential, and Oman is poised to play an integral part in it.
“India and Oman are now going to embark on a new and stronger relationship with far greater momentum and energy than ever before,” said Modi during his address. “Oman is our closest neighbour and we are honoured to have such a close relationship with them as well. It is a testament to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s wise policies that we share such a strong relationship.
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“I give endless thanks to the government of Oman because our nations have shared a history that goes back to thousands of years,” added Modi. “We may have had dark times between our nations but our respect has always stood the test of time.”
In order to promote investment and economic development and diversification in the Sultanate, a host of joint ventures across several industries including metalworks and fertilisers have already been set up, and Modi is looking forward to seeing far greater economic cooperation between the two nations in future.
“To improve the relationship between Oman and India, we have set up many technological and energy based institutions,” he said.
“It is vital and important that the relations between India and other nations stay strong, in terms of investment, agriculture, technology and business.
“Today, we are building a new India,” stressed Modi. “All the Indians in Oman celebrate our successes and mourn our sorrows. Wherever we all may be, we are one nation.”
Modi was quick to stress the efforts made by Indians in making Oman a modern nation-state
“Oman has made for all of you here a second home, and there are about eight lakh of my brothers and sisters here,” he exclaimed.
“You have worked hard for this nation, you have spent your lives in this nation, and we are proud that the Oman government respects us all for this. We are proud that we are a nation that can find a place for ourselves and help others anywhere in this world.
“We are a nation that regards the entire world as our family,” he added. “In addition to upholding our own culture and values, we honour the value of other nations as well. All of you who are overseas and living in Oman have brought progress to both our nations by upholding and respecting the values of both countries.
“However hard the road, however difficult the situation, we are a people that knows how to emerge successful. This has been our strength and our tradition.”
