India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, H.E. Shri M.J. Akbar, is visiting Oman on 13-15 December 2016. This is his first visit to Oman since his appointment as Minister of State for External Affairs in July 2016. He is leading the Indian delegation to the 5th India-Arab Partnership Conference. The Conference is being organized by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in collaboration with Arab League Secretariat, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), General Union of Chambers of Commerce & Industry in the Arab Countries (GUCCIAC) and Federation of the Arab Business (FAB). FICCI is mounting a large delegation of Indian businessmen to participate at the Conference. H.E. Shri Rajendra Shukla, Minister for Commerce, Industries and Employment of the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh is also leading a delegation of senior officials from his State to participate at the Conference.
The theme of the 5th India-Arab Partnership Conference is “Partnership towards Innovation and Information Technology Co-operation”. After the inaugural and Ministerial Sessions, the Conference will hold panel discussions on the following topics identified for the Conference: Technology and Innovation; The renewable Energy and Clean Technology; The Health and Drug Industry; The Higher Education and Skill Development; Food Security and Safety; and Tourism. The presence of high level Ministerial and business delegations from India at the 5th India-Arab Partnership Conference reflects the important that India attaches to its trade and investment relations with 22 Arab countries, which have emerged as India’s important trade partners.
Apart from participation at the 5th India-Arab Partnership Conference, H.E. Shri M.J. Akbar will also hold bilateral meetings with the Government of Oman with a view to review the existing bilateral cooperation between India and Oman in all its dimensions and to explore the opportunities for expanding further the strategic partnership between the countries. India and Oman are maritime neighbours joined together by Indian Ocean. The historical relations between India and Oman have evolved into a strategic partnership, which has continued to expand in all its dimensions. India has regarded Oman as a key and trusted partner in the Gulf region. India-Oman relationship is based on shared values, common interests and respect for each other’s concerns and priorities. It is hoped that the visit of H.E. Shri M.J. Akbar will provide further boost to India-Oman strategic partnership.
In view of the presence of Indian community in Oman, which numbers over 800,000, H.E. Shri M.J. Akbar will also be meeting the Indian community in Oman at a Reception hosted by Ambassador at the Embassy. The Government of India has always accorded a high priority to promoting the welfare of Indian diaspora and has enhanced interaction with the Indian communities living abroad. External Affairs Minister, H.E. Smt. Sushma Swaraj, had also met the Indian community during her visit to Muscat in February 2015
Muscat, 13 December 2016
