Antony meets Indian diaspora in Omam

MUSCAT - Defence Minister A.K. Antony, on a two-day visit to Oman, said at a meeting with Indian expatriates here that New Delhi was committed to consolidating bilateral ties with the Gulf nation.

Shortly after his arrival in Muscat Monday evening, Antony attended a dinner hosted for prominent members of Indian community by Indian ambassador Anil Wadhwa.

“India will expand its cooperation with Oman in all fields,” Antony said, while addressing the Indian diaspora.

“The bilateral relations between India and Oman are centuries old. We consolidate our relations on a regular basis while exploring newer avenues of mutual co-operation,” he added.

Over 500,000 Indians, the largest expatriate community in Oman, are involved in a wide spectrum of professions in the Gulf country. Coming from all parts of India, they include skilled workers and technicians and professionals such as doctors, engineers, bankers, finance experts and senior management officers in the private sector.

Antony also called on Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said bin Thaimour Al Said, who is also the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces. He also held talks with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi.

They discussed ways to promote military cooperation between the two countries.

This is the first high-level Indian delegation to visit Oman after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s trip in 2008.