Diplomatist Magazine Oman 2018 - Special Report | Page 43

Omani singer Haitham Mohammad Rafi ,
who won the Indian television show Dil
Hai Hindustani in 2017, was felicitated by
Ambassador of India to Oman
CULTURE AND TOURISM ARE
THE CORNERSTONES OF THE
INDIA-OMAN FRIENDSHIP
By Dr. Mukul Kapoor*
Historical Links
India and Oman have a long-standing
cultural relationship dating back to the
seventh century, and there was a close link
between ancient Oman and the ancient Indian
civilisation. India was under British rule until
1947 while Oman, though an independent state,
was a British Protectorate till 1971. Sultan
Saeed Bin Taimur and Fahr Bin Taimur studied
at Mayo College Ajmer in Rajasthan. The
traditional trade relationship blossomed into
a strategic friendship between the two nations
after India gained independence in 1947. His
Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman spent
his formative years in India and did his primary
and secondary school education in Pune. The
Sultan’s equation with his teacher, the erstwhile
President of India Pandit Shankar Dayal
Sharma, possibly strengthened the foundation
of this friendship. The friendship has
matured over the years into a symbiotic bond
benefi tting the people of the two nations.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said, with his vision
to develop Oman into a dynamic nation,
lead a renaissance to transform the lives
of his people and build a modern Oman.
He ensured the preservation of Omani
traditions while planning the process of
modernisation. India has been a supportive
partner during this process. Technical
and non-technical human resources from
India have been a driving force during
this economic resurgence. Workforce from
India has been a significant contributor
to the infrastructure development while
Indian intelligentsia helped set up centres
of excellence and training establishments.
2018 • INDIA-OMAN • 43