Member State of the Arab League |
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Cabinet |
Omanportal |
When Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said assumed power in 1970, Oman had limited contacts with the outside world, including neighbouring Arab states. A special treaty relationship permitted the United Kingdom close involvement in Oman's civil and military affairs. Ties with the United Kingdom remained very close throughout Sultan Qaboos' reign, along with strong ties to the United States.
The Sultanate of Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab World. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia on the western side, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the northwest and Yemen in the southwest. Oman has two enclaves (Madha and the Musandam peninsula) within the land borders of the UAE. Oman also has maritime borders with Iran and Pakistan. The Arabian Sea lies to Oman's southeast and the Gulf of Oman to the northeast. Although partially under Portuguese occupation during the 16th to mid-17th century, Oman had its own empire in East Africa from the early 18th to the mid-19th century. Oman has a population of 4.2 million (2018). Foreign expatriates are estimated to make up to 45 per cent of the population. Administratively, Oman is divided into six regions. Its national day, 18 November, is the birthday of the former Sultan, HM Qaboos bin Said Al-Said. Oman's capital is Muscat on the northern coast.
Since 1970, Oman has pursued a moderate foreign policy and expanded its diplomatic relations dramatically. It supported the 1979 Camp David accords and was one of three Arab League states, along with Somalia and Sudan, which did not break relations with Egypt after the signing of the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in 1979. [1] During the Persian Gulf crisis[ which? ], Oman assisted the United Nations coalition effort. Oman has developed close ties to its neighbours; it joined the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council when it was established in 1980.
Oman has traditionally supported Middle East peace initiatives, as it did those in 1983. In April 1994, Oman hosted the plenary meeting of the Water Working Group of the peace process, the first Persian Gulf state to do so.
During the Cold War period, Oman avoided relations with communist countries because of the communist support for the insurgency in Dhofar. In recent years, Oman has undertaken diplomatic initiatives in the Central Asian republics, particularly in Kazakhstan, where it is involved in a joint oil pipeline project. In addition, Oman maintains good relations with Iran, its north-eastern neighbor across the Gulf of Oman, and the two countries regularly exchange delegations. Oman is an active member in international and regional organizations, notably the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Its foreign policy is overseen by its Foreign Ministry.
In 2023, Oman established foreign relations with the Holy See, with a signing ceremony taking place at the in New York City. [2]
The northern boundary with the United Arab Emirates has not been bilaterally defined; the northern section in the Musandam Peninsula is an administrative boundary.
List of countries which Oman maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date [3] [4] |
---|---|---|
1 | United Kingdom | 2 May 1971 [5] |
2 | India | 25 July 1971 [6] |
3 | Iran | 26 August 1971 [7] |
4 | Pakistan | 15 October 1971 [8] |
5 | Saudi Arabia | 14 December 1971 [9] |
6 | Tunisia | December 1971 |
7 | Algeria | 1971 |
8 | Kuwait | 1 January 1972 |
9 | Netherlands | 1 January 1972 |
10 | France | 5 January 1972 [10] |
11 | Italy | 26 January 1972 [11] |
12 | United States | 17 April 1972 [12] |
13 | Japan | 8 May 1972 [13] |
14 | Germany | 16 May 1972 [14] |
15 | Jordan | 11 June 1972 [15] |
16 | Bahrain | 13 June 1972 |
17 | Qatar | 27 June 1972 [16] |
18 | Spain | 10 November 1972 [17] |
19 | Egypt | 27 November 1972 [18] |
20 | Lebanon | 2 January 1973 [19] |
21 | Morocco | 10 March 1973 [20] |
22 | Finland | 1 April 1973 [21] |
23 | United Arab Emirates | 1 April 1973 [22] |
24 | Turkey | 18 June 1973 [23] |
25 | Switzerland | 12 September 1973 [24] |
26 | Greece | 1 October 1973 [25] |
27 | Austria | 19 December 1973 [26] |
28 | Canada | 2 February 1974 [27] |
29 | Sweden | 15 March 1974 [28] |
30 | South Korea | 28 March 1974 |
31 | Romania | 1 May 1974 |
32 | Serbia | 4 May 1974 [29] |
33 | Yemen | 12 May 1974 |
34 | Belgium | 22 May 1974 [30] |
35 | Argentina | 18 June 1974 [31] |
36 | Brazil | 3 July 1974 [32] |
37 | Malta | 4 November 1974 [33] |
38 | Bangladesh | 18 December 1974 [34] |
39 | Burundi | 28 February 1975 |
40 | Mexico | 31 July 1975 [35] |
41 | Senegal | 25 December 1975 [36] |
42 | Iraq | 7 January 1976 |
43 | Chile | 23 February 1976 [37] |
44 | Kenya | 4 March 1976 [38] |
45 | Nepal | 21 January 1977 |
46 | Sudan | 17 March 1977 [39] |
47 | Djibouti | 16 November 1977 [40] |
48 | Indonesia | 5 December 1977 |
49 | Mauritania | 1977 |
50 | China | 25 May 1978 |
51 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1978 |
52 | Cyprus | 1978 |
53 | Mali | 2 March 1979 |
54 | Denmark | 9 July 1979 [41] |
55 | Portugal | 26 October 1979 [42] |
56 | Gambia | 4 February 1980 |
57 | Norway | 15 April 1980 |
58 | Thailand | 30 July 1980 [43] |
59 | Niger | 3 September 1980 [44] |
60 | Luxembourg | 15 September 1980 |
61 | Philippines | 6 October 1980 |
62 | Somalia | 1980 |
63 | Comoros | 9 January 1981 |
64 | Tanzania | 9 January 1981 [45] |
65 | Nigeria | 18 January 1981 |
66 | Australia | 8 February 1981 [46] |
67 | Sri Lanka | 17 February 1981 |
68 | Guinea | 17 February 1981 |
69 | Maldives | 20 February 1981 |
70 | Gabon | 30 March 1981 [47] |
71 | Burkina Faso | 5 October 1981 [48] |
72 | Malaysia | 15 January 1982 |
73 | Zambia | 1 June 1982 |
74 | Zimbabwe | 15 June 1982 [49] |
75 | Ecuador | 9 July 1982 |
76 | Sierra Leone | 10 December 1982 [50] |
77 | Seychelles | 13 April 1983 [51] |
78 | Brunei | 24 March 1984 |
79 | Saint Lucia | 28 March 1984 |
80 | Singapore | 21 February 1985 [52] |
81 | Colombia | 25 July 1985 |
82 | New Zealand | 5 September 1985 [53] |
83 | Russia | 26 September 1985 |
84 | Peru | 14 May 1986 |
85 | Jamaica | 27 May 1986 |
86 | Venezuela | 29 September 1986 [54] |
87 | Bolivia | 16 December 1986 |
88 | Uruguay | 6 April 1987 |
89 | Ireland | 8 July 1987 |
90 | Syria | 19 December 1987 |
91 | Uganda | 1987 |
92 | Chad | 21 January 1989 |
93 | Ghana | 1 March 1989 |
— | State of Palestine | 23 January 1989 |
94 | Poland | 24 January 1990 |
95 | Bulgaria | 17 June 1990 |
96 | Hungary | 19 June 1990 |
97 | Ivory Coast | 28 January 1991 |
98 | Mauritius | 31 January 1991 |
99 | Nicaragua | 26 September 1991 [55] |
100 | Iceland | 26 February 1992 [56] |
101 | Uzbekistan | 22 April 1992 |
102 | Mongolia | 27 April 1992 |
103 | Kazakhstan | 27 April 1992 |
104 | Kyrgyzstan | 18 May 1992 |
105 | Ukraine | 19 May 1992 |
106 | North Korea | 20 May 1992 [57] |
107 | Turkmenistan | 29 May 1992 |
108 | Vietnam | 9 June 1992 |
109 | Moldova | 25 June 1992 |
110 | Armenia | 7 July 1992 |
111 | Azerbaijan | 13 July 1992 |
112 | Belarus | 23 July 1992 |
113 | Guinea-Bissau | 5 August 1992 |
114 | Lithuania | 22 September 1992 |
115 | Estonia | 23 September 1992 |
116 | Albania | 7 December 1992 |
117 | Latvia | 5 February 1993 |
118 | Czech Republic | 1 March 1993 |
119 | Slovakia | 3 March 1993 |
120 | Mozambique | 4 May 1993 |
121 | Guatemala | 13 October 1993 |
122 | Panama | 25 February 1994 |
123 | Eritrea | 30 April 1994 [58] |
124 | Cuba | 23 May 1994 |
125 | Ethiopia | 7 February 1995 |
126 | South Africa | 4 October 1995 [59] |
127 | Slovenia | 13 December 1995 [60] |
128 | North Macedonia | 28 December 1995 |
129 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 January 1996 [61] |
130 | Guyana | 17 January 1996 |
131 | Croatia | 30 June 1997 |
132 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 15 September 1997 |
133 | Rwanda | March 1998 [62] |
134 | Cameroon | 30 November 1998 |
135 | Suriname | 13 July 1999 |
136 | Laos | 9 March 2005 |
137 | Afghanistan | 25 March 2005 [63] |
138 | Paraguay | 15 November 2005 |
139 | Angola | 12 December 2005 [64] |
140 | Belize | 3 March 2006 |
141 | Cape Verde | 22 May 2006 |
142 | Antigua and Barbuda | 5 October 2006 |
143 | Montenegro | 11 April 2007 |
144 | Tajikistan | 15 November 2007 |
145 | Costa Rica | 19 December 2007 |
146 | Andorra | 10 March 2008 |
147 | El Salvador | 14 April 2008 |
148 | Georgia | 16 April 2008 |
149 | Cambodia | 16 November 2009 |
150 | Dominican Republic | 17 March 2010 |
151 | Fiji | 12 July 2010 |
152 | Myanmar | 14 December 2010 |
— | Kosovo | 4 February 2011 [65] |
153 | Monaco | 20 February 2013 |
154 | Bhutan | 15 March 2013 |
155 | Eswatini | 18 March 2013 |
156 | South Sudan | 11 June 2013 |
157 | Madagascar | 29 June 2016 |
158 | Malawi | 7 December 2016 |
159 | Togo | 5 June 2017 |
160 | Namibia | 27 February 2018 |
161 | Benin | 16 November 2018 |
162 | San Marino | 26 November 2018 |
163 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 1 April 2019 |
164 | East Timor | 30 March 2022 |
165 | Bahamas | 10 January 2023 |
— | Holy See | 23 February 2023 |
166 | Trinidad and Tobago | 27 March 2023 [66] |
167 | Solomon Islands | 19 September 2023 |
168 | Vanuatu | 18 November 2023 [67] |
169 | Liechtenstein | 4 March 2024 [68] |
170 | Tonga | 14 March 2024 |
171 | Equatorial Guinea | 2 April 2024 [69] |
172 | Kiribati | 2 July 2024 [70] |
173 | Libya | Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 7 December 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 December 1992 [71] |
Andorra | 10 March 2008 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 March 2008 [72] |
Angola | 12 December 2005 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 December 2005 [64] |
Antigua and Barbuda | 5 October 2006 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 October 2006 [73] |
Argentina | 18 June 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1974 [31] |
Armenia | 7 July 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1992. [74] Oman has an honorary consulate in Yerevan. |
Austria | 19 December 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 December 1973 [26] |
Azerbaijan | 13 July 1992 | |
Bahamas | 10 January 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 2023 [77] |
Bangladesh | 18 December 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 December 1974 [34] |
Belarus | 23 July 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 July 1992 [78] |
Belgium | 22 May 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 May 1974 when first Ambassador of Belgium to Oman, Guy Copette, presented his credentials to Sultan Qabous [30] |
Belize | 3 March 2006 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 March 2006 [79] |
Benin | 16 November 2018 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 November 2018 [80] |
Bhutan | 15 March 2013 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 March 2013 [81] |
Bolivia | 16 December 1986 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 December 1986 [82] |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 January 1996 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 January 1996 [61] |
Brazil | 3 July 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 July 1974 [32]
|
Brunei | 24 March 1984 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 March 1984 [83] Brunei has an embassy in Muscat, and Oman has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. [84] Relations have been established since 24 March 1984. Both countries are former protectorates of European powers (the British for Brunei and first the Portuguese and later the British for Oman), and both are now governed by an Islamic absolute monarchy. [84] [85] [86] |
Burkina Faso | 5 October 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 October 1981 [48] |
Burundi | 3 March 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 March 1975 [87] |
Cabo Verde | 22 May 2006 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 May 2006 [88] |
Cambodia | 16 November 2009 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 November 2009 [89] |
Cameroon | 30 November 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 November 1998 [90] |
Canada | 2 February 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 February 1974 [27] In September 2016, Oman played an important role in securing the release of Homa Hoodfar, an Iranian-Canadian citizen and professor at Concordia University. She had been held prisoner in Iran's Evin Prison since 6 June 2016. This happened soon after a secretive meeting between Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, and Oman's Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah. [91] |
Chad | 1 December 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 December 1973 [92] |
Chile | 23 February 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 February 1976 [37] |
China | 25 May 1978 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 May 1978 [93]
In June 2020, Oman was one of 53 countries that backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations. [94] |
Colombia | 25 July 1985 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 July 1985 [95] |
Comoros | 9 January 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 January 1981 [96] |
Costa Rica | 19 December 2007 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 December 2007 [97] |
Cote d'Ivoire | 28 January 1991 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 January 1991 [98] |
Croatia | 30 June 1997 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1997 [99] |
Cuba | 23 May 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 May 1994 [100] |
Dominican Republic | 17 March 2010 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 March 2010 [101] |
Egypt | 27 November 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 November 1972 [18] Oman was the only Arab state besides Sudan under Jaafar Nimeiry to maintain good relations with Anwar al Sadat after Egypt recognized Israel. An NGO which launched a probe into foreign funding of organizations in Egypt found that Oman, along with the United Arab Emirates, donated $14.1 million to the Mohamed Alaa Mubarak institute, which was named after Hosni Mubarak's grandson. [102] |
El Salvador | 14 April 2008 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 April 2008 [103] |
Eritrea | 30 April 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 April 1994 [58] |
Estonia | 23 September 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 1992 [104] |
Eswatini | 18 September 2013 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 September 2013 [105] |
Ethiopia | 7 February 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 February 1995 [106] |
Fiji | 12 July 2010 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 2010 [107] |
Finland | 1 April 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1973 [108] |
France | 5 January 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 January 1972 [10]
|
Gabon | 30 March 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 March 1981 [47] |
Georgia | 16 April 2008 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 April 2008 [109] |
Germany | 16 May 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 May 1972 [14]
|
Ghana | 8 March 1989 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1989 [110] |
Greece | 1 October 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1973 [25] |
Guatemala | 13 October 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 October 1993 [111] |
Guyana | 17 January 1996 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 January 1996 [112] |
Hungary | 20 June 1990 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 June 1990 [113] |
Iceland | 26 February 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 February 1992 [56] |
India | 25 July 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 July 1971, when Level of Indian representation raised to Embassy [6] See India-Oman relations India has an embassy in Muscat, Oman. The Indian consulate was opened in Muscat in February 1955, and five years later it was upgraded to a consulate general and later developed into a full-fledged embassy in 1971. The first ambassador of India arrived in Muscat in 1973. Oman established its embassy in New Delhi in 1972 and a consulate general in Mumbai in 1976. India has been considering the construction of a 1,100-km-long underwater gas pipeline from Oman for transporting natural gas. Called the South Asia Gas Enterprise (SAGE), it will act as an alternative to the Iran–Pakistan–India pipeline. The proposed sub-sea pipeline will meet the additional gas requirement of the UAE, Oman, and India, besides easing gas transportation issues of producing countries like Turkmenistan, Iran and Qatar. The project has been slow in materialising although it was first mooted in 1985. [114] [115] [116] [117] $5.6 bn Oman-India energy pipeline plans progressing: Fox Petroleum Group envisions a roughly five-year timeframe for the execution of the pipeline project. [118] Ajay Kumar, the chairman and managing director of Fox Petroleum, based in New Delhi, which is an associate company of Fox Petroleum FZC in the UAE, said that Mr Modi had "fired the best weapon of economic development and growth". "He has given a red carpet for global players to invest in India," Mr Kumar added. "It will boost all sectors of industry – especially for small-scale manufacturing units and heavy industries too. Ajay Kumar, chairman and managing director of Fox Petroleum, said, “In the last few years, deepsea gas pipeline technology has matured. Since India has serious security concerns with regard to pipeline projects over land, a deepsea pipeline is probably the most promising option. This 1,600-kilometer OIMPP project intends to transport 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to India over a period of 20 years. The pipeline is planned to be about 1,300 kilometers long in Phase I, and 300 kilometers more to connect Mumbai, laid at a depth of 3,400 meters below the seabed. It will connect the Middle East Compression Station near Oman with the receiving terminal near Gujarat.” A week prior to the Iran-P5+1 Framework Agreement, Fox Petroleum issued a proposal for the construction of the Oman-India Multi-Purpose Pipeline (OIMPP), a deep water pipeline system to transport Iranian natural gas via Oman to a receiving terminal on the coast of India's Gujarat state. Costing an estimated $5.6 billion, the 1,600 km pipeline would transport 8 trillion cubic meters over a 20-year period. Citing recent advances in deep-sea pipeline technology, Fox Petroleum's chairman asserted that gas imports to India via OIMPP would be less expensive than India's LNG imports by $1.5–2 per million BTU. The same pipeline system could also be used to transport natural gas from Qatar to India, thereby creating a nexus of Persian Gulf natural gas suppliers oriented toward supplying the world's fast growing major economy. And, as Modi intimated in Ashgabat the potential would even exist for Turkmenistan to export its gas to India across Iran and via the undersea pipeline. |
Indonesia | 1 January 1978 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1978 [124] |
Iran | 26 August 1971 | See Iran–Oman relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 August 1971 [7] |
Italy | 26 January 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 January 1972 [11] |
Jamaica | 27 May 1986 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 May 1986 [125] |
Japan | 8 May 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 May 1972 [13] |
Kazakhstan | 27 April 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1992 [126] |
Kenya | 4 March 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 March 1976 [38]
|
Laos | 9 March 2005 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 March 2005 [127] |
Latvia | 5 February 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 February 1993 [128] |
Lebanon | 2 January 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 January 1973 [19] |
Lithuania | 22 September 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 September 1992 [129] |
Luxembourg | 15 September 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 September 1980 [130] |
Madagascar | 29 June 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 June 2016 [131] |
Malawi | 7 December 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 December 2016 [132] |
Malaysia | 15 January 1982 | See Malaysia–Oman relations Malaysia and Oman established diplomatic relations on 15 January 1982. [133] Since that, bilateral trade between Malaysia and Oman stood at nearly RM500 million during January–October 2010, with Malaysia's main exports to Oman being edible oil, machinery, appliances and parts, wood products, electrical and electronic products. |
Maldives | 20 February 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 February 1981 [134] |
Mexico | 31 July 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 July 1975 [35]
|
Moldova | 25 June 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1992 [137] |
Monaco | 20 February 2013 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 February 2013 [138] |
Mongolia | 27 April 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1992 [139] |
Montenegro | 11 April 2007 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 April 2007 [140] |
Morocco | 10 March 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 March 1973 [20] |
Mozambique | 4 May 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 May 1993 [141] |
Myanmar | 14 December 2010 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 December 2010 [142] |
Namibia | 27 February 2018 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 February 2018 [143] |
Nepal | 21 January 1977 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 January 1977 [144] |
New Zealand | 5 September 1985 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 September 1985 [53] |
Nicaragua | 26 September 1991 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 1991 [55] |
Niger | 3 September 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1980 [44] |
Nigeria | 8 January 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 January 1981 [145] |
North Macedonia | 28 December 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 December 1995 [146] |
Norway | 15 April 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 April 1980 [147] |
Pakistan | 15 October 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1971, when Pakistani Consulate-General in Muscat upgraded to Embassy [8] The relationship between Islamabad and Muscat is warm, because it is the nearest Arab country to Pakistan and the fact that some 30% of Omanis are of Balochi origin from Pakistan's Balochistan province, having settled in Oman over a hundred years ago. In 1958 Gwadar was part of Oman but was transferred to Pakistan in that year. |
Panama | 25 February 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 1994 [148] |
Paraguay | 15 November 2005 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 2005 [149] |
Peru | 14 May 1986 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 May 1986 [150] |
Philippines | 6 October 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 October 1980 [151] |
Poland | 24 January 1990 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 January 1990 [152] |
Portugal | 26 October 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 October 1979 [42] |
Qatar | 27 June 1972 | See Oman–Qatar relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 June 1972 [16]
|
Romania | 1 May 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 May 1974 [153] |
Russia | 26 September 1985 | See Oman–Russia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 1985 [154]
|
Saint Lucia | 28 March 1984 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 March 1984 [155] |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 1 April 2019 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 2019 [156] |
Sao Tome and Principe | 15 September 1997 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 September 1997 [157] |
Saudi Arabia | 14 December 1971 | See Oman–Saudi Arabia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 December 1971 [9] |
Senegal | 25 December 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 December 1975 [36] |
Serbia | 4 May 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 May 1974 [29] |
Seychelles | 13 April 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 April 1983 [51] |
Sierra Leone | 10 December 1982 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 December 1982 [50] |
Singapore | 21 February 1985 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 February 1985 [52] |
Slovakia | 3 March 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 March 1993 [158] |
Slovenia | 13 December 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 December 1995 [60] |
Solomon Islands | 19 September 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 September 2023 [159] |
South Africa | 4 October 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1995 [59] |
South Korea | 28 March 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 March 1974 [160] The Republic of Korea-Oman Agreement on the mutual waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official, special and service passports came into effect on 11 April 2015. The agreement allowed citizens of the two countries with valid diplomatic, official, special, or service passports to stay in each other's territories without visa for up to 90 days. The agreement was made to help promote inter-governmental and people-to-people exchanges as well as substantive cooperation between the two countries. [161] |
South Sudan | 11 June 2013 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 June 2013 [162] |
Spain | 10 November 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 November 1972 [17] See Oman–Spain relations
|
Sri Lanka | 17 February 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 February 1981 [163] |
Suriname | 13 July 1999 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 July 1999 [164] |
Sweden | 15 March 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1974 [28] |
Switzerland | 12 September 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 September 1973 [24] |
Tajikistan | 15 November 2007 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 2007 [165] |
Tanzania | 9 January 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 January 1981 [45]
|
Thailand | 30 July 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 July 1980 [43] |
Timor-Leste | 30 March 2022 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 March 2022 [166] |
Togo | 5 June 2017 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 June 2017 [167] |
Trinidad and Tobago | 27 March 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 March 2023 [66] |
Turkey | 18 June 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1973 [23] |
Turkmenistan | 29 May 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 May 1992 [168] |
Ukraine | 19 May 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 May 1992 [169] |
United Arab Emirates | 1 April 1973 | See Oman–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established full diplomatic relations on 1 April 1973 [22] In December 2010, Oman discovered a spy network operated by the United Arab Emirates which collected information on Oman's military and government. They were reportedly interested in who would replace Qaboos as his heir and about Oman's relations with Iran. [170] [171] Kuwait mediated in the dispute. [172] |
United Kingdom | 28 June 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 June 1971, when announcement that Oman and Her Majesty's Government have agreed to raise the level of representation to Embassy [173] See Oman–United Kingdom relations Relations between the United Kingdom and Oman are strong and strategic. [174] In April 2010 the government of Oman stated that it wanted to buy Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK. [174] The United Kingdom has an embassy in Mina al Fahal [175] and Oman has an embassy in London. [176] The Dhofar Rebellion was launched in the province of Dhofar against the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman and United Kingdom from 1962 to 1975. It ended with intervention of Iranian Imperial Forces and defeat of the rebels, but the state of Oman had to be radically reformed and modernized to cope with the campaign. Queen Elizabeth II visited Oman in November 2010 to commemorate Oman's 40th National Day and take part in the tremendous celebrations in the Country. This was her second visit to the Sultanate (first being in 1979). |
United States | 17 April 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 1972 [12] See Oman–United States relations In 1974 and April 1983, Sultan Qaboos of Oman made state visits to the United States. Vice President George H. Bush visited Oman in 1984 and 1986, and President Bill Clinton visited briefly in March 2000. Vice President Dick Cheney visited Oman in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2008. In March 2005, the U.S. and Oman launched negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement that were successfully concluded in October 2005. The FTA was signed on 19 January 2006, and is pending implementation.
|
Uzbekistan | 22 April 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 April 1992 [177] |
Vanuatu | 18 November 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 November 2023 [67] |
Vietnam | 9 June 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 June 1992 [178] |
Zambia | 2 June 1982 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 June 1982 [179] |
Zimbabwe | 15 June 1982 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 June 1982 [49] |
Oman does not have diplomatic relations with the following:
The foreign relations of Angola are based on Angola's strong support of U.S. foreign policy as the Angolan economy is dependent on U.S. foreign aid. From 1975 to 1989, Angola was aligned with the Eastern bloc, in particular the Soviet Union, Libya, and Cuba. Since then, it has focused on improving relationships with Western countries, cultivating links with other Portuguese-speaking countries, and asserting its own national interests in Central Africa through military and diplomatic intervention. In 1993, it established formal diplomatic relations with the United States. It has entered the Southern African Development Community as a vehicle for improving ties with its largely Anglophone neighbors to the south. Zimbabwe and Namibia joined Angola in its military intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Angolan troops remain in support of the Joseph Kabila government. It also has intervened in the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) in support of Denis Sassou-Nguesso in the civil war.
The Foreign relations of Egypt are the Egyptian government's external relations with the outside world. Egypt's foreign policy operates along a non-aligned level. Factors such as population size, historical events, military strength, diplomatic expertise and a strategic geographical position give Egypt extensive political influence in the Africa, the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, and within the Non-Aligned Movement as a whole. Cairo has been a crossroads of the Mediterranean's, Africa's and Asia's commerce and culture for millenia, and its intellectual and religious institutions are at the center of the region's social and cultural landmarks.
The foreign relations of Afghanistan are in a transitional phase since the 2021 fall of Kabul to the Taliban and the collapse of the internationally-recognized Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. No country has recognised the new regime, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Although some countries have engaged in informal diplomatic contact with the Islamic Emirate, formal relations remain limited to representatives of the Islamic Republic.
Since 1980, the foreign relations of Iraq have been influenced by a number of controversial decisions by the Saddam Hussein administration. Hussein had good relations with the Soviet Union and a number of western countries such as France and Germany, who provided him with advanced weapons systems. He also developed a tenuous relation with the United States, who supported him during the Iran–Iraq War. However, the Invasion of Kuwait that triggered the Gulf War brutally changed Iraq's relations with the Arab World and the West. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others were among the countries that supported Kuwait in the UN coalition. After the Hussein administration was toppled by the 2003 U.S. invasion, the governments that succeeded it have now tried to establish relations with various nations.
Since its independence in 1961, Kuwait maintained strong international relations with most countries, especially nations within the Arab world. Its vast oil reserves gives it a prominent voice in global economic forums and organizations like the OPEC. Kuwait is also a major ally of ASEAN, a regional ally of China, and a major non-NATO ally.
The foreign policy of Lebanon reflects its geographic location, the composition of its population, and its reliance on commerce and trade. Until 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy had been heavily influenced by Syria, however beginning with the formation of Hezbollah in 1982, Iran had gradually grown to heavily influence Lebanon.
Foreign relations of Qatar is conducted through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Arab states were among the first to recognize Qatar, and the country gained admittance to the United Nations and the Arab League after achieving independence in 1971. The country was an early member of OPEC and a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Diplomatic missions to Qatar are based in its capital, Doha.
The Seychelles follows a policy of what it describes as "positive" nonalignment and strongly supports the principle of reduced superpower presence in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles' foreign policy position has placed it generally toward the left of the spectrum within the Non-Aligned Movement. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, the People's Republic of China, Libya and Cuba maintain embassies in Victoria.
The foreign relations of Sudan are generally in line with the Muslim Arab world, but are also based on Sudan's economic ties with the People's Republic of China and Russia.
Eswatini is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community. Currently, the Kingdom of Eswatini maintains 11 embassies and High Commissions along with 15 consulates and other representations around the world, while there are five embassies and High Commissions in Eswatini as well as 14 consulates and other representations.
Ensuring national security, increasing influence among its Arab neighbours and securing the return of the Golan Heights, have been the primary goals of the Syrian Arab Republic's foreign policy. At many points in its history, Syria has seen tension with its neighbours, such as Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Syria enjoyed an improvement in relations with several of the states in its region in the 21st century, prior to the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War.
The diplomatic foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates are conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The foreign relations of Yemen are the relationships and policies that Yemen maintains with other countries. It is a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Yemen participates in the nonaligned movement. The Republic of Yemen accepted responsibility for all treaties and debts of its predecessors, the YAR and the PDRY. Additionally, India acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has stressed the need to render the Middle East region free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
Uganda has formal diplomatic relations with many countries, some accredited. Since the colonial era and after independence Uganda has grown to be one of the most important African countries. Uganda has diplomatic relations with many countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Uganda is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations since 1962.
The foreign relations of Bangladesh are Bangladesh's relationships with foreign countries. The Government of Bangladesh's policies pursue a moderate foreign policy that heavily relies on multilateral diplomacy, especially at the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh has stressed its principle of "Friendship towards all, malice towards none" in dictating its diplomacy. As a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Bangladesh has tended to not take sides with major powers. Since the end of the Cold War, Bangladesh has pursued better relations with its neighbours and other nearby states.
After seizing power in the 1972 coup d'état, Major Mathieu Kérékou declared the People's Republic of Benin a Marxist-Leninist state and sought financial support from communist governments in Eastern Europe and Asia. To distance the modern state from its colonial past, the country became the People's Republic of Benin in 1975. However, Benin dropped the socialist ideology in 1989 following pressure from creditors and domestic unrest related to economic hardship.
The Gambia followed a formal policy of non-alignment throughout most of former President Dawda Jawara's tenure. It maintained close relations with the United Kingdom, Senegal, and other African countries. The July 1994 coup strained The Gambia's relationship with Western powers, particularly the United States. Starting in 1995, President Yahya Jammeh established diplomatic relations with several additional countries, including Libya, the Republic of China, and Cuba. As scholars on Gambia's foreign policy have argued, throughout Jammeh's period, the country's foreign policy was a shifting sand, with little of direction.
The Foreign Ministry is the government body in the Sultanate of Oman responsible for organising and directing Oman's relations with other countries and with regional and international organisations.
Foreign relations of Djibouti are managed by the Djiboutian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Djibouti maintains close ties with the governments of Somalia, Ethiopia, France and the United States. It is likewise an active participant in African Union, United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Arab League affairs.
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has generic name (help)This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.