Oman is India's historically closest Gulf partner, bound by millennia of maritime trade across the Arabian Sea, a massive Indian diaspora of approximately 800,000, and a modern strategic partnership covering defence, energy, trade, and connectivity. India's relationship with Oman predates the modern states — dhow trade between Malabar and Muscat has existed for over 2,000 years — and continues through one of the most comprehensive and warmly regarded bilateral partnerships India maintains in West Asia. The Duqm Special Economic Zone, where India has obtained dedicated logistics access for its navy, represents the strategic depth of the modern relationship.
COOPERATION AREAS
Where India and Oman actually work together
5 active areas of cooperation, as of July 2026. Click any card for the full brief.
TRADE & INVESTMENT
By the numbers
FY 2023-24 estimates. Oman is among India's top Gulf trading partners. Crude oil and LNG dominate imports. Source: DGFT, MEA.
~$12bn
Total bilateral trade in goods
~$4bn
India exports to country
~$8bn
India imports from country
Trade trajectory · USD bn
$12bnin 2023 · click a bar to compare years
TOP TRADED ITEMS
AGREEMENTS & MILESTONES
The relationship since 1955, in 7 dates
CURRENT STATE
Where things stand, 2026
India-Oman relations are among the most substantive and warmly regarded in India's Gulf diplomacy. The strategic partnership is deep across defence, trade, diaspora, and energy dimensions. Duqm naval access represents the strategic value of the relationship to India's Indian Ocean security architecture. The emerging green hydrogen dimension, if realised, would add a transformative new energy partnership to the relationship's already substantial foundation.
SIGNALS TO WATCH
On track / positive momentum
In progress / worth watching
Stalled or facing headwinds
Not yet started / unclear
QUICK FACTS
CapitalMuscat
Population4.5 million
RegionWest Asia
Diplomatic tiesSince 1955
Indian diaspora~800,000
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