PM woos investors at Oman biz meet

Muscat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met industry leaders of the Gulf and West Asia region at the India-Oman business meeting in Muscat, during which he pitched India as an attractive destination to do business.

The Prime Minister has also held wide-ranging talks with the Sultan of Oman as the two sides signed eight agreements, including pacts on cooperation in the field of Defence, Health and Tourism.

Modi, who arrived in Muscat on Sunday from Dubai on the last leg of his three-nation tour, also met Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs of Oman Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq Al Said.

The two leaders discussed intensification of bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. “Four countries in 4-days strengthening our footprint in Gulf and West Asia! PM @narendramodi begins Day 4 with business – Oman-India Business Meet in Muscat. Pitching India as an attractive destination to do business, complementing our expanding strategic partnership,” Kumar said. 

Later, the Prime Minister visited the historic Shiva Temple of Muscat. The temple is one of the oldest of the region and is located in the Matrah area near Sultan’s Palace. The temple was constructed 125 years back by Merchant Community from Gujarat and was subsequently renovated in 1999. 

The temple has three deities – Shri Adi Motishwar Mahadev, Shri Motishwar Mahadev and Shri Hanumanji. During auspicious days, more than 15,000 devotees visit the temple for prayers. 

Modi has also visited Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque before heading back to Delhi.This was the first Prime Ministerial visit to the Gulf nation in 10 years since the visit of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2008.