PM Modi to host Oman Sultan next week, talks on West Asia likely

The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, will visit India, making it the first high-profile visit by an Arab leader since the Israel-Hamas war. Oman is India's closest defence partner in the Arabian Gulf and a key Indian Ocean maritime security partner. The visit will draw attention to the sultan's talks with PM Narendra Modi on the West Asia situation. India has been in touch with Oman over the issue, with the foreign minister having spoken to his counterpart in October.