MUSCAT (PTI): India and Oman June 15 agreed to accord the Most Favored Nation (MEN) treatment to each other, decided to set up a joint commission to promote bilateral economic and trade ties and enhance cooperation in oil, gas, fertilizer and hydrocarbon spheres with the private sector’s active participation.
An umbrella agreement on hydrocarbons, a memorandum of understanding on setting up a gas based fertilizer joint venture project in Oman and a pact on Strengthening economic, trade, commercial and technical cooperation were signed here by the two sides on the second day of the three day official visit of the prime minister, P.V.Narasimha Rao to the sultanate.
Both the countries agreed that MEN treatment will relate to their economic, commercial and technical relations, as well as to the fields of hydrocarbons and fertilizers.
Oman extended its support to India on making the 1992 Simla agreement the basis for resolving all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India.
This was conveyed by Omani Minister of state for foreign affairs, Yousef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, when Indian minister of the state for foreign affairs, R.L.Bhatia, called on him at the foreign office here.
The Omani leader agreed that Pakistan should abide by the spirit of the Simla pact to iron out differences with New Delhi.
Abdullah said the Omani people had “extremely positive feelings” towards India and its people. He said the sultanate considered India as a frontrunner in manpower resources.
He was of the view that the proposed 1,450 km long subsea gas pipeline from Oman to Gujarat would be a major breakthrough with immense possibilities.
The wide ranging discussions, center around global issues, included restructuring of the United Nations.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 25, 1993
