India, Oman agree to deepen bilateral mining ties

India and Oman have signed an agreement to enhance and develop cooperation between the two countries in the field of mining.

An MoU to promote cooperation in the field of mining between India and Oman being signed by Ambassador Munu Mahawar (left) and HE Salim Al Aufi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Oman. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@Mog_Oman.

"Stemming from the distinguished relations between the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and IREL (India), a memorandum of understanding was signed to enhance and develop cooperation between them in the field of mining," the Ministry of Energy and Minerals said in a statement.

The ministry confirmed that the memorandum of understanding states that the parties encourage cooperation in exchange for experiences on innovation and application of modern methods and technologies in minerals exploration, and developing the mining industries.

Oman is India’s oldest strategic partner in the Gulf. In 2018 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Muscat Qaboos made a special gesture of sending breakfast made in the Palace for the PM at the hotel where he stayed.

The Omani Royal family has a special connect with India. Sultan Qaboos’s grandfather once ruled Oman from India in the early decades of the last century and has been buried in Mumbai.