India and Oman to Sign Free Trade Agreement, Unlocking Multiple Sectoral Opportunities

India and Oman are set to formally sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, December 18, 2025, offering significant prospects across a range of industries, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced.

Speaking at the India-Oman Business Forum in Muscat, Mr. Goyal highlighted that the FTA will benefit sectors such as textiles, footwear, automobiles, gems and jewellery, renewable energy, and auto components. He added that the agreement would also provide India with enhanced access to key markets, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Africa.

India and Oman began negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in November 2023. The signing ceremony will take place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

Mr. Goyal outlined four broad areas of collaboration under the FTA. First is the energy transition, encompassing renewable energy, battery storage, and green hydrogen initiatives. The second area involves infrastructure, multimodal logistics, and export warehouses. Third is food security, with India supporting Oman to develop food parks and supply chains that could serve broader regional markets. Finally, both countries aim to strengthen their startup ecosystems, encouraging deep-tech collaborations, logistics software solutions, and artificial intelligence initiatives.

“The sky is the limit in terms of potential, particularly with Oman opening doors as a gateway to multiple regions,” Mr. Goyal said, emphasizing the transformative possibilities the FTA presents for both nations.