New Delhi, 17 December (H.S.): India and Oman will formalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Muscat on Thursday, a landmark accord designed to amplify bilateral trade, services, and investments, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has arrived in Muscat to ink the deal, joined by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, as negotiations—launched formally in November 2023 and concluded this year—culminate in this free trade framework.

Oman ranks as India's third-largest export destination among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $10.5 billion in FY 2024-25.

PM Modi, midway through his four-day tour encompassing three nations, proceeds from Addis Ababa—reached Tuesday from Jordan—to Oman today, underscoring the pact's role in fortifying economic synergies across the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar