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Minister of External Affairs His Excellency K. Natwar Singh visited Muscat from December 24 - 26 at the invitation of His Excellency Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs. This has been an important visit, which has served to strengthen further the close bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Sultanate of Oman at a strategic level.
During his visit External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh was received by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and handed a written message from the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to His Majesty, concerning bilateral relations and ways and means of boosting ties between the two countries. In their meeting His Majesty and the External Affairs Minister reviewed aspects of Oman India bilateral relations and discussed a wide range of international and regional issues.
External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh also met the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah to hold a round of official talks. The Ministers exchanged views on a number of political, international, and regional issues. There was a broad measure of agreement between them on these issues, in support of the need to make every effort to build peace and stability in the region and the world. In the same context, the two sides also agreed on the need to expand the UN Security Council and to coordinate their positions accordingly. The Sultanate of Oman supports India's candidature for a permanent seat in the expanded Security Council.
The Ministers also noted with satisfaction the steady development of bilateral relations between Oman and India, praised the work of the joint committee and the progress made by the Oman India Strategic Consultation Group. They reaffirmed their commitment to support the continued development of bilateral relations on many fronts, including, among other issues, energy, information technology, trade and investment, labour relations, and defence and security.
The Ministers welcomed the constructive contribution of the Indian community in Oman towards economic development, and the further development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
During his visit External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh had the opportunity to meet His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq AI-Said the Minister of Heritage and Culture, His Excellency Sayyid Bader bin Saud bin Harub AI Busaidi the Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, His Excellency Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan Minister of Commerce and Industry and His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad AI Rumhi Oil and Gas Minister. He was accompanied by a team of senior officials from Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi.
The visit concluded with the signing of an Extradition Treaty concerning the extradition of convicted and accused persons between Oman and India, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the State Audit Institution of the Sultanate of Oman and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, for cooperation in audit matters.
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