Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman is going to visit India this month. This is the first high-profile visit by the leader of any Gulf country amid the Israel-Hamas war. Oman has its own significance for India, which is a major defense partner in the Gulf. Oman's maritime border is with the Indian Ocean and in such a situation it becomes important for India from defense point of view. India uses Duqm Port of Oman, which is strategically important. There is a long history of strategic relations between India and Oman but let us understand the complete history of Oman's monarchy in this report.
Oman has a long and rich history as a monarchy. The Sultan of Oman is the monarchical head of state and government. Oman has an absolute monarchy and has been so for centuries. Transfer of power happens between men and women do not play any important role in it. The current Sultan of Oman is Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who assumed power in 2020 after the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who had ruled Oman since 1970. Strategic relations were established between India and Oman during the reign of Sultan Qaboos, who did his studies in India.
The monarchy of Oman in the hands of the Al Saeed dynasty
Oman's monarchy system is centuries old, in which different dynasties and Imams ruled the region in different periods. In the 18th century, the Al Said dynasty came to power and has ruled Oman ever since. The Al Said dynasty is one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the Arab world. This monarchical rule has played an important role in shaping the history and development of Oman.
Before the Al Said dynasty, Oman was ruled by several foreign powers, including the Portuguese and the Ottomans. Portugal occupied the areas around present-day Muscat, the capital of Oman, between 1507 and 1650. Except for Muscat, the Portuguese ruled only the surrounding areas. Later, between 1581-1888, the entire Muscat was captured by the Ottomans. However, no dynasty ever had complete rule over the whole of Oman.
Britain's occupation of Oman
Britain captured Oman in 1891 and made it a full-fledged state. This Gulf country was ruled for about six decades. This was the period when most parts of the Gulf were under Ottoman rule. The main competition of the British in these areas was with the Ottomans. During the First World War, when Ottoman atrocities increased in the Gulf countries, the British instigated people for civil war.
Later the local people rebelled against the Ottomans and then some Gulf countries got independence, but the case of Oman was a little different. Britain's 60-year rule over Oman ended in 1951 and then the country got independence. For this, Oman had to enter into an agreement with the British government regarding oil reserves. After this, the British recognized the Al-Said Sultanate of Muscat and Oman as an independent nation, giving priority to their care and interests.
Qaboos's coup in Oman
During his 49-year reign, Sultan Qaboos bin Said transformed Oman from a poverty-stricken country to a prosperous one and an internationally trusted arbiter of some of the region's most complex issues. He ousted his father from power in a coup and became Sultan in 1970 with the aim of ending the country's isolation and using oil revenues for modernization and development. Britain had a lot of influence on the rulers of the Gulf at that time. In the July 1970 coup, it is said that Britain helped Qaboos al-Saidi, so that he could oust his father from power and become Sultan himself.
Oman's Vision 2040
Like other Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman is also working on building the future. The current Sultan Haitham bin Tariq is completely focused on the future and bringing diversity to the economy of Oman. Under the 'Oman Vision 2040' project, it is making efforts to improve the future. Overall, the monarchy of Oman has played an important role in the history, development and modernization of the country. All the Sultans till now have contributed to the development and progress of the country.
Relations between India and Oman
India has an embassy in Muscat, the capital of Oman, while Oman has both an embassy in New Delhi and a Consulate General in Mumbai. Relations between the two countries started in 1971. In the later period, India and Omani government further strengthened the relations between the two countries. Oman also supports India politically, with the Omani regime supporting India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
Defense cooperation is another important aspect of India-Oman relations. Oman was the first Gulf country to formalize defense ties with India and joint military exercises are often conducted between the two countries. The Indian Navy has berthing rights in Oman. The Indian Navy usually uses Omani ports to prevent maritime infiltration or piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
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