As we celebrate the 76th Republic Day of India, I extend my warm greetings to all Indian nationals, our dear Omani friends and all well-wishers in the Sultanate of Oman.

This day marks a historic milestone in our journey as a sovereign, democratic Republic. On January 26, 1950, India adopted its Constitution, a document that laid the foundation for the world’s largest democracy, built on the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. This year holds special significance as we also celebrate 75 years of our Constitution. India’s constitutional values have not only guided its internal progress but have also shaped its approach to global partnerships for larger good of the humanity.

Powered by the will, determination and ingenuity of its 1.4 billion citizens, India’s rise continues to be the cynosure of global eyes.

Over the past decade, India’s economy has undergone a remarkable transformation. We have ascended from being the 11th largest to the 5th largest economy globally and are poised to become the 3rd largest within the next two years. This growth is underpinned by clear-eyed vision and leadership, deep structural reforms, digital empowerment, and sustained skill development of our workforce, adding over US$ 1.9 trillion to our GDP between 2014 and 2024. This progress has lifted more than 270 million people out of poverty, establishing India as a global powerhouse in cutting edge technology, IT and AI, manufacturing, renewable energy, and space exploration.

An important aspect of our development journey is our commitment to sustainable growth.

India is the only G-20 country to have achieved its Paris Agreement commitments nine years ahead of schedule. Our non-fossil fuel energy now constitutes 40% of our energy mix, with an enhanced target of achieving 500 GW by 2030. We aim to reduce projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030 and meet 50% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by the same year. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission targets the production of 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with implementation already underway.

The ethanol blending success story of India is just one more example of a responsible nation living by the principles it holds dear.

In 2014, India’s ethanol blending in petrol was a mere 1.4%. Through favorable market dynamics, technological advancements, and supportive government policies, we have achieved a record 15% ethanol blending rate this year. The target of 20% blending, initially set for 2030, has been advanced to 2025. This initiative has increased farmers’ incomes, saved foreign exchange, and importantly, reduced over 54 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.

India’s digital transformation is another milestone of our progress.

Our innovation ecosystem is thriving, with India now home to the third-largest startup ecosystem worldwide, comprising over 110 unicorns. In 2023 alone, Indian startups attracted $30 billion in funding, with sectors like fintech, edtech, and health-tech leading the way.

India-Oman Relations: A Deepening Partnership

In the post-pandemic period, the India-Oman partnership has witnessed remarkable growth, reflecting a shared determination to deepen ties. Rooted in centuries of historical and cultural connections, the relationship has evolved into a dynamic and multifaceted partnership, encompassing political, economic, defense, and cultural collaboration.

The year 2023 marked a defining chapter in our ties. Oman participated as a Special Guest Country during India’s G20 Presidency, a gesture that reflected Oman’s significance in India’s global outreach. This was followed by the historic State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India in December 2023, the first such visit in over 26 years. The adoption of the India-Oman Joint Vision Document during this visit has set the stage for deeper collaboration in the years to come. Oman’s active participation in initiatives like the Voice of the Global South Summit hosted by India further underscores the alignment of our global priorities.

Our economic relationship continues to thrive, with bilateral trade reaching $8.9 billion in FY 2023-24, positioning India as one of Oman’s top trading partners. Discussions on key agreements, including the Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are progressing, promising to open new avenues for trade and investment.

Our steadily deepening defence engagements underscore the shared commitment of India and Oman to enhancing regional security and stability.

The Indian diaspora in Oman is a living bridge between our two countries. India values their cherished history and contribution to the abiding friendship between Indian and Omani peoples.

Embassy’s initiative to shed light on the rich history of Indian diaspora was an effort to rekindle interest in this remarkable journey and to preserve this for future generations.

Embassy’s pioneering 8-month long lecture series, “Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman” was followed by a unique project for digitization of diaspora documents. In this first-ever such project anywhere in the world, 7,000 historical records from Indian diaspora families in Oman were digitized and have now been permanently archived on the portal of National Archives of India (NAI), thus immortalizing this rich legacy of Indians in Oman.

India and Oman stand as partners with a deep commitment to a shared future of peace and shared prosperity. Every milestone achieved is a step forward in strengthening a relationship that is as enduring as it is dynamic.

As we commemorate India’s 76th Republic Day, we celebrate not only our nation’s achievements but also the ever-strengthening bonds between India and Oman.

Our shared history and the collaborative endeavors in the present day continue to drive our partnership towards new and better horizons.

Jai Hind!