Modi honoured by Oman, joins legends Mandela, Queen Elizabeth
The honour has been bestowed on global icons like Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela, and Jordan’s King Abdullah.
This prestigious recognition makes PM Modi the recipient of 29 international honours, reflecting the deepening trust and goodwill India enjoys across regions and cultures.
Soon after receiving the honour, the Prime Minister took to social media platform X to express gratitude and humility. In a heartfelt message, PM Modi thanked His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Government of Oman, and its people for the recognition, underlining the warmth that defines ties between the two nations.
The honour is not merely ceremonial; it represents centuries of shared history and mutual respect. Reflecting on the deep-rooted connections between India and Oman, PM Modi spoke about how the relationship stretches far beyond modern diplomacy. For generations, people from both lands have been linked through maritime trade, cultural exchanges, and shared livelihoods. The Arabian Sea, he said, has long acted not as a barrier but as a bridge—connecting traders, sailors, scholars, and families across shores.
PM Modi arrived in Oman on Wednesday, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour. He was warmly received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at Al Baraka Palace in Muscat, where the two leaders later held detailed bilateral discussions. The ceremonial welcome and personal reception highlighted the strong rapport between the leadership of both countries and the importance Oman places on its partnership with India.
During the high-level talks, India and Oman took a major step forward by inking a Free Trade Agreement, formally known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both leaders welcomed the agreement as a transformational move that would elevate the India-Oman strategic partnership to new heights. CEPA is expected to open fresh avenues for trade, investment, and cooperation across key sectors, reinforcing economic ties that already rest on a strong foundation.
The agreement is particularly significant for ordinary citizens and businesses on both sides. As External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi Jaiswal noted, CEPA translates into real-world benefits—more jobs, better market access for businesses, stronger supply chains, and greater economic opportunities. For Indian exporters, especially in sectors like textiles, food products, engineering goods, and services, the agreement promises easier access to Omani markets. Likewise, Omani businesses stand to gain from enhanced connectivity with one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
Beyond trade and economics, the visit underscored the broader strategic convergence between India and Oman. The two countries cooperate closely in areas such as energy security, defence, maritime safety, and regional stability. Oman’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean and the Middle East makes it a vital partner for India’s outreach to the Gulf and beyond.
The honour conferred on PM Modi carries added significance given its illustrious past recipients. Global figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, and King Abdullah of Jordan have previously received the Order of Oman, placing the Indian Prime Minister among a distinguished group of world leaders who have shaped history through diplomacy, leadership, and moral authority.
For India, the moment is both symbolic and substantive. Symbolic, because it reflects international respect for India’s leadership and vision; substantive, because it comes alongside concrete agreements that will shape economic and strategic cooperation for years to come. For PM Modi, the honour serves as recognition not just of an individual, but of India’s rising role on the global stage.
As the visit concluded, the message was clear: India and Oman are not just partners of convenience, but trusted friends bound by history, mutual respect, and shared aspirations for prosperity and peace.