Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman represents a blueprint for the shared future of the two countries and will shape their bilateral relationship for decades to come.
Addressing the India–Oman Business Summit in Muscat, PM Modi called the agreement a historic decision that would inject new trust and energy into the partnership in the 21st century.
He said the CEPA would boost trade, strengthen investor confidence, and open new opportunities across all sectors of the economy.
“Today, we are making a historic decision whose echo will be heard for decades. The CEPA is a blueprint of our shared future,” the Prime Minister said, urging business leaders from both nations to capitalise on the momentum created by the summit to deepen trade and investment ties.
Boost to Trade and Investment
PM Modi noted that India and Oman share generations of trust in business relations and have a deep understanding of each other’s markets. He said the summit would give the bilateral partnership a new direction and speed, helping it reach greater heights.
“Our people know each other well. We have generations of trust in our business relations, and we understand each other’s markets very well,” he said, adding that business leaders play a key role in shaping the future of India–Oman cooperation.
Highlighting the historic ties between the two countries, PM Modi said business leaders today are inheritors of a centuries-old trade legacy. He recalled that since the dawn of civilisation, India and Oman have engaged in maritime trade.
“The Arabian Sea between Mandvi and Muscat has become a strong bridge. Waves may change and seasons may turn, but India–Oman friendship grows stronger with every season and reaches new heights with every wave,” he said.
Partnership Built on Trust
The Prime Minister underlined that the India–Oman relationship rests on trust, friendship, and longevity. He noted that diplomatic relations between the two countries have completed 70 years, reflecting the depth and continuity of the partnership.
He also said the relationship rests on trust and has strengthened over time, describing Oman as a close friend and maritime neighbour.
PM Modi said India’s economic rise would benefit its partners, including Oman. He highlighted that India is progressing towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, which would create new opportunities for collaboration.
“Whenever India grows, it helps its friends grow as well. India’s progress is beneficial for the entire world, and even more so for Oman, as we are close friends and maritime neighbours,” he said.
In a social media post, PM Modi further described Oman as a land of enduring friendship and deep historical connections with India. He said the visit offers an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation and add fresh momentum to the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored the central role of CEPA in strengthening India–Oman ties and shaping a future of shared growth and prosperity.
