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The
Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, H.E. Mr. Vayalar Ravi, visited
Oman from October 25-27, 2007. During his visit, on October 27,
2007, the Minister called on the following Omani dignitaries - H.H.
Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Council
of Ministers Affairs, H.E. Lt. Gen. Malik bin Sulaiman Al Maamari,
Minister and Inspector General of Police & Customs and H.E. Dr. Juma
bin Ali Al Juma, Minister of Manpower. Both sides discussed
bilateral relations and means to further strengthen them.
Both sides lauded the historic
bilateral relations between India and Oman which are based on mutual
understanding and respect for each other’s culture and views and
expressed happiness at the pace of their development. In his meeting
with Minister of Manpower, Mr. Vayalar Ravi also discussed the
issues related to the MOU on Labour. It was agreed that the MOU can
be finalized and be ready for signing during the forthcoming visit
to India by H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood Al Said in December 2007.
The Minister also appreciated the positive approach of the
Government of the Sultanate of Oman in waiving fines of many
thousand Indians who had overstayed in Oman and for facilitating
their repatriation to India. He also hailed the recent gesture of
the Government of Oman to allow further 2000 Indians to leave Oman
without paying any fine or penalty, for which registration is under
process in the Indian Embassy. The forthcoming VVIP visit will
certainly provide an impetus to the growing bilateral relations.
During his call on the Deputy Prime
Minister of Oman, H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood Al Said, the Minister
discussed modalities of his forthcoming visit to India, the need to
deepen the economic engagement between the two countries in all
fields and the requirement to work together in the field of
education and developing Omani educational institutions.
The Minister met a large cross
section of Indian community in the Sultanate in various functions
and meetings. He attended a dinner hosted by Indian Ambassador, Anil Wadhwa on 26th October for a select gathering at
India House. In his Address to the Indian community, the Minister
highlighted the economic and social development that has taken place
in India. He lauded the loyalty of the Indian community to their
friendly Omani hosts and its role in the development of Oman, which
is witnessing all round development under the Renaissance Regime of
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. On this occasion, two
short films - on the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and Overseas Indian
Facilitation Centre were also screened.
The visiting Minister also attended
an Open House Reception at India House organized by the Ambassador
of India, Mr. Anil Wadhwa and Indian Social Club in the evening of
27th October 2007 and listened to suggestions of close to
over thousand people. Ambassador, Anil Wadhwa urged the Indian
Community to make use of the presence of the Minister’s visit to
offer their suggestions in improvement in the lot of Indians living
and working abroad.
See photographs |