The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan’s Gulf visit to strengthen energy security

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Saturday, Nov 08, 2008
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Manmohan’s Gulf visit to strengthen energy security

Sandeep Dikshit

Two-way investments with Oman and Qatar planned

Gulf region is vital for India’s security
India attaches great importance to ties with Qatar

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Oman and Qatar from November 8 to 10 to accelerate two-way investments, strengthen energy security and discuss measures to assure the safety and welfare of the large number of Indians working in both countries, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs N. Ravi said here on Friday.

The ruler of Qatar was the first from West Asia to visit India after the United Progressive Alliance government assumed office. India also has very close ties with Oman, which is one of the countries to unquestioningly offer berthing facilities to Indian warships. India also conducts joint naval exercises with both countries and accommodates officers and men from their armed forces in its military training institutions.

Apart from the emerging security ties, India has also invested in Oman and has a gas purchase agreement with Qatar. Economic ties with Oman received a major fillip with the $969-million Oman-India Fertiliser Company commencing production in mid-2005.

“The Gulf region is an area of vital importance for India’s security and prosperity. We have always enjoyed a very special relationship with countries of the region. Nothing epitomises this more than our ties with the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Qatar,” underlined the Prime Minister in his pre-departure statement. Accompanied by several senior Ministers and officers, including Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vyalar Ravi and Petroleum Minister Murli Deora (for the Qatar leg), the visit will give Dr. Singh an opportunity to review bilateral ties and set the stage for more intensive cooperation in discussions with the top leadership of both countries.

In Muscat, Dr. Singh will meet the head of State and government of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, besides other senior members of his government. “Both India and Oman have a special vision for our bilateral relationship and I will use my visit to find ways in which we can concretise this vision into a broad and mutually beneficial cooperative framework between the two countries,” noted the Prime Minister.

Dr. Singh pointed out that India attached great importance to ties with Qatar, which was one of the largest and most reliable suppliers of India’s energy needs from the region. “Given the complementarities that exist between us, I am confident that we can build a mutually beneficial strategic partnership in this sector,” he observed.

The Prime Minister felt the current international economic and financial situation would provide a “unique opportunity” for India to leverage the surplus funds in the Gulf for its development needs and to accelerate trade and investment flows into each other’s countries.

“We have a large number of Indian citizens working in Oman and Qatar. Their contribution to these countries is widely acknowledged and appreciated by the authorities. I am grateful to both countries for the very warm welcome that has been accorded to them. During my discussions in Oman and Qatar, I shall also discuss ways in which we can better assure their safety and welfare.”

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