Indian Ambassador to Oman Amit Narang has confirmed that India is sending wheat consignments to the country and "more shipments of wheat will be on their way to Oman soon". Indian supplies to Oman come even as the Russia-Ukraine conflict has impacted the global supply chain and wheat supply. Both the countries are major exporters of wheat to the international community.

Speaking to WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Narang said, "as soon as the conflict began we initiated discussion with the Omani side and happy to report already Indian consignments of wheat have reached Oman". The matter also came up during the discussion between the Indian, and Omani trade ministers during the joint commission meeting on Wednesday.

The Indian envoy also said that Oman and India are looking at preferential trade agreements. India was already looking at a comprehensive trade agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, of which Oman is an important member. Here is the detailed interview.

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WION: What are the key outcomes of the India, Oman joint commission meeting? 
Amit Narang: The Omani commerce minister is in Delhi, on Wednesday we had a very productive session of the joint commission meeting, chaired on our side by our minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal. Oman is India's most trusted and strategic partner in the Gulf region and this relationship is essentially founded on a trade and investment relationship which has been with us for several decades. We have over 6000 Indian companies invested in Oman, a total investment of over 7.5 billion dollars. On the other side, trade relations are also growing very robustly. We have touched nearly $10 billion of bilateral trade this year. So on the back of these developments, it is very important to have institutional mechanisms meet and meet early, especially after the disruption of the pandemic. Wednesday saw a productive session, a very wide-ranging discussion on a range of topics covering the entire gamut of not just trade and commerce relations but several other fields, including financial and others. Very good outcomes which hopefully will anchor the relationship in the next few years.

WION: How does the use of the RuPay card help the diaspora? 
Amit Narang: Yes, it does, the USP of the RuPay card, is that once you put that in motion it also allows more Indian travelers to come and spend their money for tourism-related purposes. The discussions with the Omani government are ongoing and I can they are at a very advanced stage In principle, there is an acceptance that it will be done. &nbsp;Some technical level discussions are being sorted out, hopefully, in the next few months, it will be done.

WION: On wheat export from India, India is giving wheat consignment to various countries. What has the been conversation like, amid the Russia Ukraine crisis 
Amit Narang: Look, the conflict in Europe has brought the issue of supply chain disruption in the food sector to light, but even other than that India is the largest exporter of food products to Oman, especially rice. They had a large dependency on Ukraine for Wheat imports and as soon as the conflict began we initiated a discussion with the Omani side and were happy to report already Indian consignments of wheat have reached Oman, to the extent that on Wednesday our minister categorically said that India has committed to Oman's food security and any disruption they may encounter India will be happy to fill in, these details have been shared with them. I am happy and very confident in terms of wheat more and more shipments of wheat will be on their way to Oman soon.

WION: On the relationship, we have seen high-level visits. How do you see the relationship going? 
Amit Narang: The relationship is on an upswing, my sense after going to Oman and having spent 6 months, as both countries are coming out of the pandemic, we are both returning to a high growth trajectory, and based on the historical relationship we have and very strong people to people relation, this relationship is poised to jump to the next level. The last few months, as you have mentioned, has seen a string of ​high-level visits from Oman side and this will continue hopefully and we will ensure all the institutional mechanism to anchor the relationship are taken to fruition. Discussion in the JCM on Wednesday will help us anchor some of the discussions going forward. There has been discussion on looking at a preferential trade agreement, between India and Oman and that should help kick start or rather put the relationship into a different trajectory all together.

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Indian Ambassador to Oman Amit Narang has confirmed that India is sending wheat consignments to the country and "more shipments of wheat will be on their way to Oman soon".

Indian Ambassador to Oman Amit Narang has confirmed that India is sending wheat consignments to the country and "more shipments of wheat will be on their way to Oman soon". Indian supplies to Oman come even as the Russia-Ukraine conflict has impacted the global supply chain and wheat supply. Both the countries are major exporters of wheat to the international community. Speaking to WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Narang said, "as soon as the conflict began we initiated discussion with the Omani side and happy to report already Indian consignments of wheat have reached Oman". The matter also came up during the discussion between the Indian, and Omani trade ministers during the joint commission meeting on Wednesday. The Indian envoy also said that Oman and India are looking at preferential trade agreements. India was already looking at a comprehensive trade agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, of which Oman is an important member. Here is the detailed interview. WION: What are the key outcomes of the India, Oman joint commission meeting? Amit Narang: The Omani commerce minister is in Delhi, on Wednesday we had a very productive session of the joint commission meeting, chaired on our side by our minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal. Oman is India's most trusted and strategic partner in the Gulf region and this relationship is essentially founded on a trade and investment relationship which has been with us for several decades. We have over 6000 Indian companies invested in Oman, a total investment of over 7.5 billion dollars. On the other side, trade relations are also growing very robustly. We have touched nearly $10 billion of bilateral trade this year. So on the back of these developments, it is very important to have institutional mechanisms meet and meet early, especially after the disruption of the pandemic. Wednesday saw a productive session, a very wide-ranging discussion on a range of topics covering the entire gamut of not just trade and commerce relations but several other fields, including financial and others. Very good outcomes which hopefully will anchor the relationship in the next few years. WION: How does the use of the RuPay card help the diaspora? Amit Narang: Yes, it does, the USP of the RuPay card, is that once you put that in motion it also allows more Indian travelers to come and spend their money for tourism-related purposes. The discussions with the Omani government are ongoing and I can they are at a very advanced stage In principle, there is an acceptance that it will be done. Some technical level discussions are being sorted out, hopefully, in the next few months, it will be done. WION: On wheat export from India, India is giving wheat consignment to various countries. What has the been conversation like, amid the Russia Ukraine crisis Amit Narang: Look, the conflict in Europe has brought the issue of supply chain disruption in the food sector to light, but even other than that India is the largest exporter of food products to Oman, especially rice. They had a large dependency on Ukraine for Wheat imports and as soon as the conflict began we initiated a discussion with the Omani side and were happy to report already Indian consignments of wheat have reached Oman, to the extent that on Wednesday our minister categorically said that India has committed to Oman's food security and any disruption they may encounter India will be happy to fill in, these details have been shared with them. I am happy and very confident in terms of wheat more and more shipments of wheat will be on their way to Oman soon. WION: On the relationship, we have seen high-level visits. How do you see the relationship going? Amit Narang: The relationship is on an upswing, my sense after going to Oman and having spent 6 months, as both countries are coming out of the pandemic, we are both returning to a high growth trajectory, and based on the historical relationship we have and very strong people to people relation, this relationship is poised to jump to the next level. The last few months, as you have mentioned, has seen a string of high-level visits from Oman side and this will continue hopefully and we will ensure all the institutional mechanism to anchor the relationship are taken to fruition. Discussion in the JCM on Wednesday will help us anchor some of the discussions going forward. There has been discussion on looking at a preferential trade agreement, between India and Oman and that should help kick start or rather put the relationship into a different trajectory all together. Watch WION's live TV here:

Wheat consignments being sent to Oman, says Indian Envoy to Muscat Amit Narang

India on Monday honoured the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman by conferring him with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshs-founding-leader-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-conferred-gandhi-peace-prize-372315">Gandhi Peace Prize</a> for 2019 posthumously.&nbsp;

Sultan Qaboos died last year and had ruled his country for 50 years starting from 1970. He was instrumental in the modernisation of Oman and instituting a number of reforms. &nbsp;

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His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was a strong advocate of India-Oman friendship, and took special care of the welfare of the Indian community in Oman. I cherished my interactions with His Majesty, and benefited from his wise insights on many subjects. <a href="https://t.co/tcPcJwzbHI">https://t.co/tcPcJwzbHI</a> <a href="https://t.co/dK1vnjrENn">pic.twitter.com/dK1vnjrENn</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1374005214190071808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Gandhi Peace Prize recognises the unparalleled vision and leadership of the late H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in strengthening relations between India and Oman and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region," the Indian government said.

In a rare development, the Indian government had announced national mourning for one day on January 13, 2020 in his honour.&nbsp;

India's minister of minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had visited the country on January 14 last year and had his conveyed condolences on behalf of leadership and Indian government on passing away of the late Sultan Qaboos.

"Sultan Qaboos was the architect of the special ties between India and Oman. He had studied in India and always maintained a special relationship with India. Under his leadership, India and Oman became strategic partners and our mutually beneficial, comprehensive partnership strengthened and scaled newer heights," the Indian government added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Oman in 2018 and had held talks with Sultan Qaboos.

India on Monday honoured the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman by conferring him with Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019 posthumously.

India on Monday honoured the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman by conferring him with Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019 posthumously. Sultan Qaboos died last year and had ruled his country for 50 years starting from 1970. He was instrumental in the modernisation of Oman and instituting a number of reforms. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was a strong advocate of India-Oman friendship, and took special care of the welfare of the Indian community in Oman. I cherished my interactions with His Majesty, and benefited from his wise insights on many subjects. https://t.co/tcPcJwzbHI pic.twitter.com/dK1vnjrENn — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2021 × "Gandhi Peace Prize recognises the unparalleled vision and leadership of the late H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in strengthening relations between India and Oman and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region," the Indian government said. In a rare development, the Indian government had announced national mourning for one day on January 13, 2020 in his honour. India's minister of minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had visited the country on January 14 last year and had his conveyed condolences on behalf of leadership and Indian government on passing away of the late Sultan Qaboos. "Sultan Qaboos was the architect of the special ties between India and Oman. He had studied in India and always maintained a special relationship with India. Under his leadership, India and Oman became strategic partners and our mutually beneficial, comprehensive partnership strengthened and scaled newer heights," the Indian government added. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Oman in 2018 and had held talks with Sultan Qaboos.

India honours late Sultan Qaboos of Oman, once Arab world's longest-serving leader

Gulf countries have assured India that they will have zero tolerance to any attempts to create discord after a sudden spike was seen in a number of fake Twitter handles of Arabic royalties emerged tweeting anti-India material.

It was conveyed to external affairs minister S Jaishankar during his phone conversations with foreign ministers of five&nbsp;West Asian countries to greet them on the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan.

India's EAM spoke to the foreign minister of&nbsp;Saudi Arabia and Oman on April 23 and FMs of Qatar, UAE and Palestine on April 24. He had earlier spoken to FMs of Bahrain, Kuwait and Algeria.

Sources told WION, "Gulf countries are very sensitive to attempts to create social disharmony and have zero tolerance in this regard." and "negative social media posts from fake handles have come in for adverse attention of these governments."

Earlier this week it emerged that a Twitter handle @ pak_fauj had changed its name to Omani Royalty and tweeted anti-India propaganda which was quoted by many in Pakistan. The Omani Princess issued a statement later clarifying someone is impersonating her.

During the EAM's conversation with FMs of the Gulf region both sides realised&nbsp;that such attempts are also "intended to create discord in the special relations that exist between India and countries of the region"

The foreign minister of the Gulf cooperation council countries also appreciated the "rich contributions made by Indians living and working in their respective countries to its growth and prosperity" with EAM thanking them for going the "extra mile in taking care of the welfare of Indians in these trying times".

Jointly dealing with the COVID-19 crisis dominated the talks with appreciation being expressed for India for sending medicines.

Many Gulf countries have requested essential&nbsp;medicines like Hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol with New Delhi sending aid and supplies to the region on a commercial basis. India is sending Hydroxychloroquine to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Egypt and Palestine.

As part of outreach to the extended neighbourhood, India sent its rapid response teams to Kuwait to help the country deal with the COVID-19&nbsp;crisis.

The discussion also focused on the oil prices and its implications given the fact that India is a key market for crude from the Gulf.

New Delhi has also told them that it will give "sympathetic consideration" to the request of some Gulf countries to allow their medical personnel stranded in India to go back.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to nine West Asian leaders on COVID-19. These include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Palestine, Jordan and&nbsp;Eqypt.

During the talks, PM Modi spoke at length on the priority New Delhi attached to "Think West" and emphasised on the need for coordinated efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gulf countries have assured India that they will have zero tolerance to any attempts to create discord after a sudden spike was seen in a number of fake Twitter handles of Arabic royalties emerged tweeting anti-India material.

Gulf countries have assured India that they will have zero tolerance to any attempts to create discord after a sudden spike was seen in a number of fake Twitter handles of Arabic royalties emerged tweeting anti-India material. It was conveyed to external affairs minister S Jaishankar during his phone conversations with foreign ministers of five West Asian countries to greet them on the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan. India's EAM spoke to the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia and Oman on April 23 and FMs of Qatar, UAE and Palestine on April 24. He had earlier spoken to FMs of Bahrain, Kuwait and Algeria. Sources told WION, "Gulf countries are very sensitive to attempts to create social disharmony and have zero tolerance in this regard." and "negative social media posts from fake handles have come in for adverse attention of these governments." Earlier this week it emerged that a Twitter handle @ pak_fauj had changed its name to Omani Royalty and tweeted anti-India propaganda which was quoted by many in Pakistan. The Omani Princess issued a statement later clarifying someone is impersonating her. During the EAM's conversation with FMs of the Gulf region both sides realised that such attempts are also "intended to create discord in the special relations that exist between India and countries of the region" The foreign minister of the Gulf cooperation council countries also appreciated the "rich contributions made by Indians living and working in their respective countries to its growth and prosperity" with EAM thanking them for going the "extra mile in taking care of the welfare of Indians in these trying times". Jointly dealing with the COVID-19 crisis dominated the talks with appreciation being expressed for India for sending medicines. Many Gulf countries have requested essential medicines like Hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol with New Delhi sending aid and supplies to the region on a commercial basis. India is sending Hydroxychloroquine to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Egypt and Palestine. As part of outreach to the extended neighbourhood, India sent its rapid response teams to Kuwait to help the country deal with the COVID-19 crisis. The discussion also focused on the oil prices and its implications given the fact that India is a key market for crude from the Gulf. New Delhi has also told them that it will give "sympathetic consideration" to the request of some Gulf countries to allow their medical personnel stranded in India to go back. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to nine West Asian leaders on COVID-19. These include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Palestine, Jordan and Eqypt. During the talks, PM Modi spoke at length on the priority New Delhi attached to "Think West" and emphasised on the need for coordinated efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Won't let fake tweets create discord, Gulf countries assure India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the India-Oman business meet in Muscat on Monday

He addressed the business leaders at the meet organised by Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Oman, in association with Embassy of India, Muscat.&nbsp;

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Oman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended India-Oman business meeting in Muscat <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInOman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ModiInOman</a> <a href="https://t.co/lq0obD6E0G">pic.twitter.com/lq0obD6E0G</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962922097289891840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The forum aims at uplifting Omani and Indian entrepreneurs to conduct successful businesses with the other.

PM Modi is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Oman&#39;s Deputy Prime Minister for International Relation and Cooperation Affairs, Sayyid Asa&#39;ad bin Tariq AI Said and HH Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmood AI-Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers to discuss international relations.&nbsp;

His visit is a &lsquo;broad-base&rsquo; India&#39;s engagement with Palestine, UAE and Oman and focus on strategic domains encompassing defence and security, trade and investment.

The bilateral partnership between two countries has been swelling and his visit will take the strategic partnership to a new high, with Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to be signed.

On a two-day visit on the last leg of his West Asian tour, PM Modi arrived in Oman on Sunday from Dubai after receiving a ceremonial welcome. 
&nbsp;

The forum aims at uplifting Omani and Indian entrepreneurs to conduct successful businesses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the India-Oman business meet in Muscat on Monday He addressed the business leaders at the meet organised by Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Oman, in association with Embassy of India, Muscat. Oman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended India-Oman business meeting in Muscat #ModiInOman pic.twitter.com/lq0obD6E0G — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × The forum aims at uplifting Omani and Indian entrepreneurs to conduct successful businesses with the other. PM Modi is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for International Relation and Cooperation Affairs, Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tariq AI Said and HH Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmood AI-Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers to discuss international relations. His visit is a ‘broad-base’ India's engagement with Palestine, UAE and Oman and focus on strategic domains encompassing defence and security, trade and investment. The bilateral partnership between two countries has been swelling and his visit will take the strategic partnership to a new high, with Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to be signed. On a two-day visit on the last leg of his West Asian tour, PM Modi arrived in Oman on Sunday from Dubai after receiving a ceremonial welcome.

PM Modi attends India-Oman business meet in Muscat