MUSCAT — Popular Indian finance influencer Sarthak Ahuja has praised Oman’s distinctive character and sense of tranquillity, saying a work visit challenged the dismissive descriptions he had heard about the country.

In an Instagram post reflecting on his trip, Ahuja said Oman had pleasantly surprised him despite a busy schedule that left little time to explore.

“It’s a place that teaches you to just be,” he wrote.

Ahuja was in Muscat for MAITRI 2026, the 16th International Seminar and AI Summit organised by the Muscat Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

His reflections focused on the country beyond the conference hall, particularly the capital’s architecture, surrounding hills and markets.

Ahuja opened his post by recounting how people in the region had discouraged him from visiting Oman.
“But we’d been pleasantly surprised this week with all that the country has to offer,” he wrote, adding that the work trip had allowed only limited opportunities for sightseeing.

Reflecting on his wider travels, Ahuja said many destinations were becoming increasingly similar, making it difficult to distinguish one place from another. Muscat, he suggested, retained a recognisable identity.

“And then Muscat stands as a unique place in the whole peninsula,” he wrote.

He described a city of low-rise, beige buildings nestled between hills, presenting its restrained skyline and consistent colours as part of its appeal.

The capital’s markets also caught his attention. Ahuja drew parallels between handicrafts on sale in Oman and those found in India, including Rajasthan, seeing those similarities as reminders of the long history of trade and cultural exchange across the Arabian Sea.

A chartered accountant, investment banker and author, Ahuja is known for explaining business and finance to a broad online audience.

“After you’ve seen the world, maybe take some time out to visit Oman too,” he wrote.

“It’s not about luxury, it’s not about dopamine. It just asks you to sit down and be.”