Indian PM arrives in Oman

Muscat: Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, arrived in Muscat this afternoon for a two-day official visit to the Sultanate of Oman. During the visit, the guest will meet His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs led the welcoming party for the guest and his accompanying delegation upon his arrival at Muscat International Airport. HH Sayyid Shihab extended a formal welcome to the distinguished guest and his accompanying party, wishing them a successful visit in the Sultanate of Oman.

The Indian Prime Minister was accorded an official reception ceremony at the airport's VIP Hall. HH Sayyid Shihab escorted the guest to the dais, where the Indian national anthem was played.

The guest then shook hands with the Omani delegation. Those present to receive him included: Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (Head of the Mission of Honour), Issa bin Saleh Al Shaibani, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of India, ambassadors from the Foreign Ministry, senior officers from the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) and members of the Embassy of the Republic of India to the Sultanate of Oman.

HH the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs also shook hands with the official Indian delegation accompanying the Prime Minister.

Following the welcoming ceremony, HH Sayyid Shihab accompanied the Indian Prime Minister through a ceremonial guard of honour formed by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) to the main lounge for a brief reception.

The Indian Prime Minister is accompanied by a high-level official delegation, which includes: Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor, Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Sultanate of Oman and senior officials from the Indian government.