India, Oman to cooperate in strategically important areas

Dubai, Mar 12 (UNI) India and Oman have agreed to cooperate in strategic areas of mutual interest, sources said.

The decision followed meetings of Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee with various officials of Oman in Muscat yesterday.

The visiting minister told newspersons that the two countries could work out strategic partnerships in areas like the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The two nations have also decided to set up a joint committee for military cooperation between the two countries.

Talking about Iran's nuclear issue, Mr Mukherjee said solution acceptable to all parties should be found out through talks.

Touching upon Iraq, he said unless there was a stable regime representing all the stakeholders which inspired confidence in the minds of the people, the situation would not improve.

''We want the Iraqi people to have a rightful place in the world community to decide their own fate," he added.

UNI XC SK KN1736