External affairs minister S. Jaishankar met his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, in Muscat, which hosted the eighth Indian Ocean Conference on Sunday.

The foreign ministers of India and Oman held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and energy security.

“Delighted to meet FM @badralbusaidi of Oman this morning. Appreciate his personal efforts in successfully hosting the 8th Indian Ocean Conference. Held wide-ranging discussions on our cooperation in trade, investment and energy security,” Jaishankar posted on X following the meeting.

Jaishankar, who unveiled a specially designed logo celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Oman, along with Albusaidi, also released a book, Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the shared history of India and Oman.

“So glad we could jointly release the logo celebrating the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Also jointly released a book Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman,” Jaishankar said in his post on X.

Delighted to meet FM @badralbusaidi of Oman this morning.

Appreciate his personal efforts in successfully hosting the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.

Held wide – ranging discussions on our cooperation in trade, investment and energy security.

So glad we could jointly release… pic.twitter.com/LQbY6gAKAz

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 16, 2025

On the sidelines of the Indian Ocean conference, Jaishankar also met with the foreign ministers of Brunei, Bangladesh, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Nepal, discussing key regional and global issues of mutual concern.

In his keynote address at the conference, Jaishankar stressed on India’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

Established in 2016, the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is a forum for Indian Ocean countries to encourage regional cooperation and promote security and growth for all in the region (SAGAR).

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim to visit India

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani is on a two-day visit to India, beginning 17 February, and will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, and a business delegation.

This will be the Emir’s second visit after his state visit in March 2015.

Sheikh Tamim is expected to discuss bilateral relations with President Droupadi Murmu, who will also host a banquet in his honor before meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Last July, a joint working group meeting between India and Qatar was held in Doha, focusing on trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The nations agreed to expedite talks on deals related to food safety and customs facilitation. The next meeting is scheduled in Delhi this year.

India’s Petronet LNG signed a 20-year deal last year to buy 7.5 million tons of LNG annually from Qatar. Bilateral trade hit $14.08 billion in fiscal 2024, making India Qatar’s second-largest trading partner, government data showed.