Oman assures India of long-term ties in oil, gas

After military partnership, Oman has offered to provide India with LNG and also enter into long-term partnership in oil and gas sector.

After deciding to have a long-term military partnership with India, Oman has offered to provide it with Liquified Natural Gas and also enter into long-term partnership in oil and gas sector.

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Visiting Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who held a meeting lasting over an hour with Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said near the Thamrait air base on Sunday, said Oman had expressed willingness to provide LNG and also to enter into a long-term partnership with India, though its current gas supplies had already been tied up with some countries.

"The Sultan informed me that the present supplies have already been committed to some countries. However, some new gas fields were soon expected to be operationalised. He said when that happens, there should be no problem with entering into a long-term relationship with India," Mukherjee, who heads the empowered Group of Ministers on revival of the Ratnagiri (erstwhile Dabhol) power project, said.

India has entered into a strategic military relationship with Oman, the first such with an Islamic nation in the entire West Asian region. A decision was taken to establish the Joint Military Cooperation Committee during the discussions Mukherjee had.

Asked what kind of long-term relationship was Oman looking at in the field of oil and gas, Mukherjee said it could include joint production and sharing of the produce or joint ventures which would benefit both countries.

"Both sides were confident that such a bilateral relationship will continue and prosper".