Sushma holds talks with Omani leaders

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday held talks with her Omani counterpart and senior officials of the key Gulf country on boosting ties and also focused on the strategic aspect of their relations as maritime neighbours.

Sushma Swaraj, who arrived here Tuesday on a two-day visit, held talks with her Omani counterpart Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah on bilateral and regional issues.She also met Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmoud Al Said.

She told Oman's leadership that there are "multiplicity of opportunities to expand ties as India boosts growth", according to tweets by external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

Both the foreign ministers focused on strategic aspects of relations as maritime neighbours.

On Tuesday evening, Sushma Swaraj interacted with the Indian community at a reception and praised them for their hard work and contribution to the Oman and Indian economy.She said the welfare of the large Indian diaspora, especially in the Gulf, is one of the top priorities of the Narendra Modi government.

Praising the 700,000-strong Indian community in Oman, she said they form the largest expatriate group in Oman. "You all are the vital organic links between India and Oman," she said.

This is Sushma Swaraj's third visit to the Gulf. She has earlier travelled to Bahrain in September and the United Arab Emirates in November 2014.