PRIME Minister Narendra Modi and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Saturday adopted a vision document to shore up bilateral engagement in 10 key areas and agreed to push for sealing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement as early as possible, even as the two leaders emphasised the need for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. Following “constructive” talks between Modi and the Omani ruler, the two sides announced the third tranche of USD 300 million (around Rs 2,500 crore) for the Oman-India joint investment fund, which is a 50-50 venture between the State Bank of India and the Oman Investment Authority to channelise investments into the fastest growing sectors of the Indian economy. India and Oman also inked five agreements providing for cooperation in the fields of information technology, combating financial crimes, culture and establishing a Hindi chair of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations in Oman.

 

PM Modi and the Omani Sultan also discussed the situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict, the challenge of terrorism as well as the larger need to try and achieve a two-state solution to the Palestine issue as a way forward, according to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. The two leaders also strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed that there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever, a joint statement said. Without making any specific references, the statement said India and Oman emphasised the need for all countries to abide by international law, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, and resolve conflicts peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.

 

The Sultan of Oman arrived in Delhi on a state visit on Friday - his first trip to India as the top leader of the influential Gulf nation. “They agreed that there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever. They affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation to combat terrorism and underscored the significance of fostering the universal values of peace, moderation, coexistence, and tolerance while highlighting the imperative of renouncing all types of violent extremism,” the joint statement said.