Prime Minister Narendra Modi has today spoken with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, describing the conversation as warm and constructive at a time when West Asia is going through a tense phase. Sharing details on X, Modi referred to the Sultan as his “brother,” underlining the close ties between the two countries.

The call comes as the region deals with growing instability, and India has been actively reaching out to key partners to push for calm and dialogue. As part of the conversation, Modi also extended advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman, reflecting the strong cultural connection and the presence of a large Indian community there.

Both leaders agreed that the situation in the region needs to be handled through dialogue and diplomacy, with a clear focus on de-escalation. They also spoke about recent developments affecting Gulf countries, including incidents near ports and territorial waters, and stressed the importance of respecting sovereignty and maintaining stability.

Oman’s efforts in helping people during the ongoing crisis, including the safe return of many Indian nationals, were also acknowledged. India sees Oman as a dependable partner, especially during difficult situations like these.

A major point of discussion was the Strait of Hormuz, where both sides underlined the importance of keeping sea routes open and secure.

What’s happening around the Strait of Hormuz right now

The Strait of Hormuz has become a major concern again because of the rising tensions in the region. With ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, Israel, and some Gulf countries, there has been an increase in military activity, including drone strikes and a stronger naval presence in nearby waters.

This has made global shipping routes more vulnerable, especially for oil tankers. Since nearly 20% of the world’s oil passes through this narrow stretch, even small disruptions can create big problems—like delays, higher shipping costs, and fluctuations in oil prices.

There are also concerns after discussions in Iran about possibly introducing restrictions or tolls for ships passing through the strait. While nothing concrete has happened yet, the possibility has made markets and countries cautious.

Countries in the region, including Oman, are trying to ensure that the situation doesn’t escalate further and that shipping continues without interruptions. For India, this is especially important because a large part of its energy supplies depends on this route.

Against this backdrop, India and Oman’s shared stance on keeping the Strait of Hormuz safe and open becomes even more important.

The conversation reflects India’s broader approach in the region—staying engaged, encouraging dialogue, and working with partners like Oman to prevent the situation from getting worse. It also highlights how important this relationship is, not just historically, but in dealing with present-day challenges that impact the global economy.

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