India and Oman Conclude CEPA Negotiations; Signing Date Still Under Wraps

India and Oman have successfully concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a significant advancement in their bilateral relationship. The talks, which began in November 2023, came to a close with the announcement made by India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Despite this major development, the formal signing date remains undisclosed.

Though the agreement text is finalized, the signing has yet to be scheduled. An official source indicated that the document is currently being translated into Arabic to facilitate approval by Oman’s Cabinet. Both governments have reportedly agreed to make the announcement together, possibly much sooner than the previously projected two to three months. Observers suggest that an official declaration could come within weeks.

India and Oman share a durable strategic and economic partnership, rooted in mutual trust, centuries-old people-to-people ties, and diplomatic relations established in 1955 that were elevated to strategic status in 2008. Bilateral trade exceeded USD 10 billion in the fiscal year 2024–25, underscoring the economic importance of their collaboration.

Oman holds the position of India’s third-largest export destination among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. From Oman, India primarily imports petroleum products and urea, which together account for over 70 percent of total imports. Other significant items include polymers, petroleum coke, gypsum, chemicals, and iron and steel.

In his parliamentary response, the minister highlighted India’s broader trade policy momentum, pointing out that five major free-trade deals have been signed in the past five years. These include agreements with Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and the United Kingdom. Several more trade agreements are currently in the pipeline, reflecting India’s efforts to diversify and deepen global trade linkages.

The finalization of the India-Oman CEPA underscores India’s strategic intent to cultivate stronger economic ties with Gulf partners, enhancing trade and investment flows, service sector cooperation, and broader integration into global value chains. The conclusion of negotiations paves the way for a significant boost in trade volumes and reflects a growing alignment of shared economic interests.

As both nations prepare for the official announcement and signing ceremony, attention now turns to when, where, and how this pivotal agreement will be formalized.