English
English
English
There is a strong possibility that a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), or free trade agreement, will be signed between the two countries during this meeting.
World’s most elegant royal yachts
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Wednesday, on the final leg of his three-nation tour. At Muscat Airport, PM Modi was welcomed with a guard of honor by Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said.
Upon arriving at his hotel, he received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community with cultural programs. Today, Thursday, PM Modi will meet with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman. There is a strong possibility that a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), or free trade agreement, will be signed between the two countries during this meeting. Agreements on energy, defense, investment, and maritime cooperation are also expected.
Oman's Sultan is known as 'The Mediator'
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq (70), known as 'The Mediator', is among the select rulers in the Gulf region known for his neutral diplomacy. He is often referred to as the 'Switzerland' of the Arab world. Oman was the only Gulf country that remained neutral in the Yemen crisis and provided refuge to more than 25,000 Yemeni refugees.
He played a crucial role in brokering the agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Muscat in 2023. He has also been working behind the scenes to find solutions in the US-Iran and Israel-Hamas conflicts. Sultan Haitham's family has ruled Oman for the past 281 years.
He maintains royal traditions as part of modern governance. In Oman, the tradition of cooking royal meals by burying them in the sand for 48 hours on special occasions is still alive. Regarding his royal hobbies, the Sultan owns the world's second-largest superyacht, 'Fulk Al Salamah' (164 meters), which is estimated to be worth $500 million.
This yacht is equipped with luxurious amenities. He owns a magnificent collection of vintage cars, including a rare 130-year-old Ferrari and a Rolls-Royce. Luxury cars like Mercedes-Maybach and Bentley also grace his garage.
