The India Arab Culture Centre (IACC), Jamia Millia Islamia in collaboration with the Embassy of Oman in India, organised a symposium on Oman-India Historical Relations on February 18, 2025. The programme aimed to celebrate 70 years of relations between India and Oman, marking a significant milestone in their enduring partnership in 2025. The symposium was chaired by Amb. Ashok Kumar Attri (IFS) (former Ambassador of India to Oman), and the chief guest of the event was Ambassador L. Prashant Pise (IFS), former Ambassador of India to Tunisia and Iraq and is currently the Deputy Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs.
In his welcome address Prof. Nasir Raza Khan Hony. Director stressed on the historical connections between India and Oman and the depth of their collaboration across multiple domains, including trade, commerce, culture, and diplomacy. He underlined the importance and relevance of the symposium and expressed his sincere thanks to Prof. Mazhar Asif, Vice-Chancellor, JMI for all the support in organising the event.
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In his introductory address, Yahya Aldughaishi from the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman underscored the enduring historical ties between India and Oman, which he traced back to ancient times.
The Chief Guest, Ambassador Prashant Pise, Deputy Director General, ICWA, stressed the significance of comprehending and further investigating the profound relationship shared by the two nations. He illustrated how the continuous trade across the Indian Ocean has played a pivotal role in shaping the social and cultural dynamics of both countries.
The symposium was presided over by former Indian Ambassador to Oman, Asok KumarAttri, who enriched the dialogue by sharing valuable anecdotes from his three decades of diplomatic service in Oman.
Issa Saleh Alshibani, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to India, emphasised the importance of engaging discussions with students and delegates, stressing the necessity of preserving and recounting the collective history and heritage developed over centuries of trade and travel. He emphasized the significance of the shared culture and values of both communities, which enhance the bonds between these two nations. The diplomatic engagement is significant, as it strengthens relations between the two countries.
Four academic presentations followed the inaugural session, including those by Dr. Saud bin Abdullah Al-Zadjal (from the Ministry of Education, Sultanate of Oman) and Prof. Anisur Rahman (Centre for West Asian Studies, JMI, New Delhi), Dr. Mohammad Ajmal (Centre of Arabic and African Studies, JNU, New Delhi), and Dr. Aftab Ahmad (India-Arab Cultural Center, JMI). Dr. Saud Bin Abdullah Al-Zadjal discussed the conceptual knowledge of human connections in Arabic, which was well expressed by Dr. Ahsan Raza, an assistant professor at IACC itself. Prof. Anisur Rahman from the Centre for West Asian Studies spoke about people-to-people ties, while Dr. Mohammad Ajmal from JNU’s Centre for Arabic and African Studies discussed India-Oman diplomatic relations. Dr. Md. Aftab Ahmed from the India-Arab Cultural Centre concluded the session by emphasizing the cultural similarities and interchange between the two societies.
The symposium came to a close with a vote of thanks by Prof. Nasir Raza Khan, who expressed gratitude to the Arab diplomats, dignitaries, and all attendees.
