Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Oman’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Order of Oman’, by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, in recognition of his pivotal role in strengthening India–Oman relations.
The prestigious award places Prime Minister Modi among an elite group of global leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela and King Abdullah of Jordan, who have previously received the honour.
During high-level talks with the Omani ruler, the two leaders also signed a bilateral trade agreement and agreed to expand cooperation in key strategic sectors such as trade, investment, energy and defence, further deepening the partnership between the two nations.
The Prime Minister is on a two-day official visit to Oman, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman, adding symbolic importance to the visit.
Addressing the Indian community at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Prime Minister Modi struck a warm chord by beginning his speech in Malayalam, greeting the audience with a friendly “Sukhamano?” He highlighted the strong presence of Malayalis in Oman and also acknowledged the contributions of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Gujarati-speaking communities.
The visit not only underscores the growing strategic ties between India and Oman but also celebrates the deep cultural bonds shared by the two nations.
