Dubai, Jan 12: With a view to giving a further boost to Indo-Oman ties, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee begins a two-day visit to the Gulf state on Sunday, during which he will have high-level bilateral talks and inaugurate the new Indian Embassy complex in Muscat.
The ties between the two countries are on the right track, moving at quite a fast pace, Indian officials told PTI on the eve of Mukherjee's trip.
In Oman, the Indian Minister will meet senior leaders, including Omani Ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Mukherjee will also open the new Indian Embassy complex tomorrow along with his Omani counterpart Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdulla. The inauguration ceremony will be followed by a cultural programme.
Construction work for the new embassy started in June 2006 and was completed last year, after which the office shifted all its work to the new place last month.
The building, constructed at a cost of Rial Omani 2.1 million (Over Rs 210 million), houses both the consular section and the residence of the Indian envoy.
Mukherjee's tour comes after top-level interactions by the leaders of the two countries. In December, a high-level Omani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said paid a visit to India.
Four agreements were signed during the visit, which will foster cooperation in the growth of small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurship and higher education.
Bureau Report
