INDIA, OMAN FREE TRADE DEAL TO TOP AGENDA OF SULTAN VISIT

The finalisation of a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman and ways to bolster trade and strategic cooperation are set to top the agenda for the state visit of Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

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This is the first state visit to India by the Omani ruler, who will be accompanied by a delegation comprising senior ministers and officials. The external affairs ministry said the visit marks a "significant milestone" in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

India is close to signing an FTA with Oman that will be similar to the trade deal inked with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year, one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

India and Oman have been able to take forward their talks on an FTA even as there has been little progress on a similar deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the people said.

The talks were fast-tracked after a formal meeting between India and Oman on negotiating the trade deal on November 20.

Two rounds of negotiations have already been held and almost all matters have been streamlined, the person cited above said.