Oman

Family moves HC for return of mortal remains of seafarer killed in Iran war

The family of seafarer Dixit Solanki who died last month in a suspected attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman has moved the Bombay High Court, seeking the return of his mortal remains. The petition, filed by Solanki's father Amratlal Solanki and sister Mitali Solanki through advocates S B Talekar and Madhvi Ayyappan, has sought directions to the Union government to expedite the repatriation of his remains, claiming lack of clarity from the authorities. The plea will be heard on April 6 by a bench headed by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar. Dixit Solanki (25) was killed on March 4 when an explosive-laden drone boat struck an oil tanker -- MT MKD Vyom -- off the coast of Oman amid the West Asia conflict, becoming its first Indian casualty. In their plea, the Solankis have also sought that all investigation and forensic records be shared with them. The plea has been filed against the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the ...

Iran drafting proposal with Oman to 'monitor' Hormuz for safe passage

Iran on Thursday claimed its drafting a proposal with Oman to 'monitor' Strait of Hormuz. The comments by Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian diplomat, quoted by the state-run IRNA news agency, described the proposal as "intended to facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships passing through this route." Iran's attacks on shipping in the region, as well as reportedly demanding as much as USD 2 million for passage through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, have created a stranglehold on the route. It is unclear what the proposal would mean. Oman did not immediately acknowledge it. The strait runs through Iranian and Omani territorial waters but is considered an international waterway that should freely allow ships to pass. "Naturally, when we face an act of aggression, navigation encounters serious problems, and this is the result of the aggressive act," Gharibabadi said. "We are currently at war and cannot expect pre-war rules to govern wartime conditions.

Modi speaks to Macron, leaders of Qatar, Oman, Jordan on West Asia conflict

The thrust of the conversations, per his social media posts, was to find a way to restore stability to the region and to continue coordination in the pursuit of de-escalation and peace

Two Indians killed, 10 injured in drone attack on Oman's industrial hub

Two Indian nationals were killed and 10 others injured in a drone strike in Oman's Sohar city on Friday that marked the first Indian fatalities on land since the Iran-US conflict erupted on February 28. Joint secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs Aseem Mahajan confirmed the killing of the two Indians in Oman at an inter-ministerial media briefing on the crisis in West Asia. He also said that 150,000 Indian nationals have returned to India from West Asia after the conflict began. "I wish to share with you an incident that happened in Sohar city today. There was an attack and in this incident two Indian nationals have died," he said. "We express our deepest condolences to their families. Of the 11 injured (in the attack), 10 are Indians. Out of them, five have been discharged after receiving treatment, and five others are receiving treatment in local hospitals," Mahajan said. "None of them is reported to have serious injuries. Our mission is in close touch with the ..

Two killed by drone debris in Oman; Sirens heard at Turkiye's Air Base

Drone crashed in the al-Awahi industrial area, resulting in the deaths of two foreign workers and injuries to several others

West Asia war: 37 Indian-flagged ships stuck in Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman

The Directorate General of Shipping also said that an attack on a port in Oman has resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers and left one injured aboard foreign-flagged vessels

Repatriation flights ramp up amid rush to bring citizens from West Asia

Explosions in the sky woke Cory McKane on Saturday, turning a quick visit to Dubai before a friend's wedding in India into a tense, multi-day search for a way out of the United Arab Emirates as the Iran war expanded. Faced with limited options, McKane and his friends eventually drove a rental car to the Oman border, where taxi drivers were charging up to USD 650 to take people to Muscat International Airport. The journey to Muscat took 10 hours but paid off: McKane secured a last-minute flight to India, arriving Wednesday sleep-deprived but relieved. Hundreds of thousands of travellers found themselves similarly stranded in the Middle East after Israel and the United States attacked Iran on Saturday, and Iran struck back on Gulf states as well as Israel. With much of the region's airspace closed and airstrikes intensifying, governments from North America and Africa to Europe and Southeast Asia continued their race on Wednesday to bring their citizens home. Officials chartered jets o

Oil tanker attacked by drone in Gulf of Oman; one Indian mariner killed

A bomb-carrying drone boat struck a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, killing one mariner on board, Oman said. The state-run Oman News Agency reported the attack in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Muscat, the sultanate's capital. It identified the vessel as the MKD VYOM. It said the dead crew member was from India. Iran has been threatening vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, and is believed to have launched multiple attacks as the war in the Mideast continues after Israel and the United States started a major airstrike campaign targeting the Islamic Republic.

Oman pitches downstream aluminium opportunities to Indian industry

Sultanate highlights incentives, energy cost advantages and export access as it invites Indian manufacturers to invest in downstream aluminium operations

Swan Defence gets export order from Oman for naval training vessel

The vessel will be equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation system, advanced communication suites and a deck capable of supporting helicopter operations

AYUSH gets recognition in India's free trade pacts with Oman, New Zealand

The commerce ministry on Sunday said India's traditional medicine system - AYUSH - has received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Both the agreements, which were finalised last year in December, have dedicated annexures on health-related services and traditional medicine. "India's traditional medicine systems (AYUSH) have also received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements, including the India-Oman CEPA and the India- New Zealand FTA," it said. Exports of AYUSH and herbal products have registered a growth of 6.11 per cent, increasing from USD 649.2 million in 2023-24 to USD 688.89 million in 2024-25.

Best of BS Opinion: India must learn from China, support new entrants

Today's Best of BS Opinion looks at India's evolving trade strategy, rising tensions with Bangladesh, lessons from China's manufacturing boom, food loss challenges, and the impact of digital platforms

Best of BS Opinion: Sebi reforms to make things easier for investors

From Sebi's investor-friendly rule changes and PM Modi's West Asia tour to debates on power grid reform, shrimp exports and a Zomato biography, here's today's Best of BS Opinion.

India-Oman trade agreement opens the door to social security talks

In 2024, India's bilateral services trade with Oman stood at $863 million, with exports of $665 million and imports of $198 million, resulting in a surplus of $447 million for India

Explained: India-Oman trade agreement: Why the FTA matters

India and Oman have signed a major free trade agreement that gives Indian exports near-total duty-free access to Oman. From goods and services to jobs and geopolitics

India, Oman to explore local currency trade; discuss defence cooperation

The Omani side expressed interest in discussing air service traffic rights, including the number of destinations and code-sharing provisions

India-Oman CEPA to infuse new energy into bilateral trade, says PM Modi

In his address, Modi highlighted the centuries-old maritime trading ties between the two countries, from Mandvi to Muscat, which today form the bedrock of vibrant commercial exchanges

India-Oman free trade pact to give new energy to bilateral ties: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman will give new confidence and energy to the bilateral relations. Speaking at the India-Oman Business Summit here, the visiting Prime Minister said the summit will give a new direction to the India-Oman partnership. "Today, we are taking such a historic decision, the echo of which will be heard for many decades to come. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that is, CEPA, will give our partnership new confidence and new energy in the 21st century," the prime minister said. He said India's nature has always been progressive and self-driven. Whenever India grows, it helps its friends grow as well, Modi said and added India is progressing towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. "This is beneficial for the entire world. However, it is even more beneficial for Oman because, in addition to being close friends, we are also maritime neighbours. Our

PM Modi departs for Oman from Ethiopia on last leg of three-nation visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left for Oman from Ethiopia on the last leg of his four-day, three-nation visit. During Modi's maiden visit to Ethiopia, the two countries elevated their historical ties to the level of 'Strategic Partnership'. He also held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali, following which, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of various MoUs in various fields. Modi also addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian parliament. The prime minister was conferred Ethiopia's highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. He is the first global head of state to receive this award. Modi is visiting Oman at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, with whom he will hold discussions on strengthening the Strategic Partnership as well as a strong commercial and economic relationship. The visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and follows the state visit of Sultan Tarik

India, Oman to sign free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat

India and Oman will sign a free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat with an aim to boost economic ties between the two countries, an official said. It will be signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day, three-nation visit. He arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday from Jordan and will depart for Oman from Addis Ababa. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reached Muscat for the FTA signing. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal too will reach Oman, the official said. Talks for the free trade agreement, officially termed as CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), formally began in November 2023 and the negotiations concluded this year. In free trade agreements, the two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them. They also ease norms to promote trade in services and attract investments. Oman is the third-largest export destination for India among the Gulf ...