A time-honoured connect that will help bridge the Gulf

• Oman stands as India's closest neighbour in the Arabian Gulf region, holding immense strategic significance due to its proximity and key ports along the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf. Together with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman forms a vital trio of strategic partners for India in the Gulf.
• The ruling family of Oman has maintained a robust connection with India, with Sultan Qaboos demonstrating a favourable disposition towards the country. Indian companies and professionals were invited to participate in projects, and bilateral trade flourished. The people-to-people level engagement remains strong, with a substantial Indian community contributing to the vibrant relationship.
• Amid the Cold War and beyond, when the Arab world displayed ambivalence towards India, Oman remained a steadfast supporter. Acting as an island of peace in a conflict-prone region, Oman's foreign policy emphasizes moderation and mediation, marked by deliberate neutrality in addressing regional issues. The country adeptly balances relations with Western powers, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and maintains a pragmatic approach towards Iran, ensuring the open passage of the Straits of Hormuz. Oman played a pivotal role in diffusing tensions during the 2019 Persian Gulf crisis.
• Oman's crucial role in the Iran nuclear deal of July 2015 showcased its diplomatic prowess. Even during the GCC-Qatar diplomatic stand-off in June 2017, Oman refused to sever ties with Qatar, maintaining an independent stance. The visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Oman in October 2018 underscored Oman's regional importance, pre-dating the Abraham Accords signed in September 2020.

West Asia, often referred to as the Middle East, is a strategically crucial region for India. With its vast energy reserves, significant trade flows, and proximity to India's extended neighbourhood, understanding India's policy towards this region is vital.

Security

• India actively collaborates with West Asian countries to combat terrorism and prevent the spread of extremist ideologies. This includes intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and counter-terrorism initiatives.
• The Indian Navy plays a crucial role in maintaining maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, especially in the Gulf of Oman, where it has deployed naval ships to combat piracy.
• India has established strong defence partnerships with key West Asian countries like Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, involving joint military exercises, equipment sales, and technology transfer.

Trade and Economy

• West Asia is a major source of energy imports for India, particularly crude oil and natural gas. India seeks to diversify its energy sources and secure long-term energy partnerships in the region.
• India has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several West Asian countries, aiming to increase bilateral trade in various sectors like pharmaceuticals, textiles, and chemicals.
• India encourages investments from West Asian countries in infrastructure projects like ports, airports, and renewable energy.

Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation

• India advocates for peaceful resolution of regional conflicts and supports initiatives that promote stability in West Asia.
• India maintains strong diplomatic relations with most West Asian countries, regardless of their political affiliations. This "Look West" policy aims to build bridges and foster cooperation on a range of issues.
• India is an active participant in regional organizations like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), promoting cooperation on issues like trade, maritime security, and disaster management.

Challenges and Opportunities

• The volatile political landscape of West Asia presents challenges for India's policy goals.
• India faces competition from other countries like the US and China for influence in the region.
• Fluctuations in global oil prices impact India's energy security needs.
• Despite the challenges, West Asia presents significant opportunities for India's economic and strategic interests.

The India-Middle East-Europe Connectivity Corridor (IMEC) is a grand infrastructure project aiming to bridge the gap between India, the Middle East, and Europe. Launched in 2023, it promises to revolutionize trade, connectivity, and geopolitical dynamics across these regions. 

Objectives

• IMEC aims to facilitate faster and cheaper movement of goods and services between India, the Middle East, and Europe, boosting trade and economic activity in all three regions.
• The project envisions a network of land, sea, and air routes, including ports, railways, roads, and pipelines, significantly reducing travel time and logistical costs.
• IMEC seeks to foster closer political, cultural, and security ties between the participating countries, creating a more integrated and stable region.

Key Components

• Eastern Corridor: Connecting India with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, potentially reaching Israel through the Haifa port.
• Northern Corridor: Linking the Gulf countries to Europe through existing infrastructure and new projects like the Trans-Caspian Railway and the Black Sea ports.
• Sea Routes: Upgrading and optimizing existing maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, to facilitate faster and more efficient cargo movement.

Potential Benefits

• IMEC is expected to significantly boost trade volumes between India, the Middle East, and Europe, attracting more investments and creating new business opportunities.
• The corridor could provide India access to diverse energy sources in the Middle East, reducing dependence on traditional routes and enhancing energy security.
• IMEC has the potential to strengthen India's strategic position in the region, fostering closer ties with key Middle Eastern and European partners.

Challenges and Concerns

• The project's massive scale requires significant investments, and securing funding from all participating countries remains a challenge.
• Ensuring the security of the corridor, especially in volatile regions, is crucial for its success.
• Large-scale infrastructure projects often raise environmental concerns, and mitigating these impacts requires careful planning and sustainable practices.

4. Strengthening India-Oman Strategic Partnership

Oman holds a pivotal position in India's West Asia policy, marking a crucial pillar of their multi-faceted engagement that has evolved into a strategic partnership over the years. The India-Oman strategic partnership, established in November 2008, rests on the foundations of mutual trust and shared interests, reflecting their deepening collaboration in various domains.

Defence and Security Collaboration

Defence and security engagement stand out as a key pillar of the strategic partnership, governed by a 2005 memorandum of understanding (MoU). Notably, Oman is the first Gulf country with which all three wings of India's defence forces conduct joint exercises. Since 2012-13, an Indian naval ship has been actively engaged in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Oman. Oman's support extends to allowing overflights and transit by Indian military aircraft. 'Operation Sankalp' launched by the Indian Navy during the Persian Gulf crisis in June 2019 further underscores the robust security cooperation between the two nations. The historic MoU on Duqm Port enhances security collaboration by providing basing facilities and logistical support for Indian naval operations in the region.

Trade and Commerce Ties

Trade and commerce constitute another crucial pillar of the India-Oman partnership. Bilateral trade in FY2022-23 reached $12.388 billion, reflecting the robust economic ties between the two nations. Over 6,000 India-Oman joint ventures, with an estimated investment of over $7.5 billion, showcase the depth of economic collaboration. India emerged as the second-largest market for Oman's crude oil exports in 2022 after China. The launch of the Rupay debit card in Oman in October 2022 is a significant stride in India's initiative to promote digital public infrastructure (DPI) globally.

Exploring New Avenues

India and Oman are poised to expand cooperation into strategic areas, including space collaboration, as evidenced by an MoU signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit. Joint exploration of rare earth metals, crucial for modern electronic equipment, is also under consideration, adding further strength to the partnership. The proposed India Middle-East-Europe Connectivity Corridor (IMEEC) infrastructure project holds promise, with Oman potentially playing a vital role. Additionally, the proposal for a 1,400 km deep-sea pipeline by the South Asia Gas Enterprise (SAGE) from Oman to India aligns with the broader goals of connectivity, potentially converging with the IMEEC project in the future.

5. India's Gateway to West Asia 

India's comprehensive global outlook and extended neighbourhood outreach are underscored by a deepening engagement in West Asia, where Oman plays a pivotal role as an important strategic partner. The extensive list of converging interests and collaborations reflects the significance of this relationship.

Given the profound impact of security challenges in West Asia on India, the stability of the region directly influences the safety and security of millions of Indian expatriates, India's energy security, and flourishing trade ties. Oman, as India's oldest strategic partner and closest neighbour, assumes a crucial role in addressing these shared concerns.

Oman's integral participation in key regional groupings, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League, positions it as a central player in the region. Its adept management of rival ideologies and power dynamics further enhances its importance to India.

Both India and Oman consider themselves ambassadors of peace, enjoying goodwill across diverse ideologies globally. Oman's role as a stabilizing force in the region aligns with India's pursuit of regional harmony.

Oman's unique position as India's gateway to West Asia is emphasized, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership. Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict testing the region's stability, the timely visit of Oman's Sultan assumes immense significance for India and the broader West Asian region.