The Hindu

Oman assures India LNG supplies, long-term ties in oil, gas

March. 13 , 2006

After deciding to have a long-term military partnership with India, Oman has offered to provide it with Liquified Natural Gas and also enter into long-term partnership in oil and gas sector.

Visiting Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who held a meeting lasting over an hour with Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said near this air base, said Oman had expressed willingness to provide LNG and also to enter into a long-term partnership with India, though its current gas supplies had already been tied up with some countries.

India has entered into a strategic military relationship with Oman, the first such with an Islamic nation in the entire West Asian region. A decision was taken to establish the Joint Military Cooperation Committee during the discussions Mukherjee had here.

Asked what kind of long-term relationship was Oman looking at in the field of oil and gas, Mukherjee said it could include joint production and sharing of the produce or joint ventures which would benefit both countries. "Both sides were confident that such a bilateral relationship will continue and prosper".

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