PM Modi participates in India Oman Business Forum

Published By : Admin | December 18, 2025 | 11:15 IST

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today addressed the India–Oman Business Forum in Muscat. H.E. Qais Al Youssef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman; H.E. Sheikh Faisal Al Rawas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Commerce and Industry Minister of India Shri Piyush Goyal; and Shri Rajiv Memani, President of CII attended the meeting. The Forum saw participation by leading business representatives from both countries in the fields of energy, agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, financial services, green development, education, and connectivity.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister highlighted the centuries-old maritime trading ties between the two countries, from Mandvi to Muscat, which today forms the bedrock of vibrant commercial exchanges. He noted that 70 years of diplomatic relations represent the trust and friendship built over centuries. Prime Minister called upon the business leaders to realize the full potential of India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership [ CEPA], which he described as the blueprint for India-Oman shared future. He underscored that CEPA would infuse new energy in bilateral trade and investment ties and create opportunities for mutual growth, innovation and employment.

Highlighting India’s economic success in the last 11 years, Prime Minister stated that the country was well on its way to become the 3rd largest economy in the world on the back of next generation reforms, policy predictability, good governance and high investor confidence. He further added that India’s high growth – over 8% in the last quarter – in an environment of global uncertainty spoke of its resilient nature and inherent strengths. He underlined that India was working at speed and scale to create world class infrastructure, logistics, connectivity, trusted supply chains, manufacturing capacities and green growth to boost "ease of living” and "ease of doing business”. He invited Omani businesses to look beyond traditional areas of energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals and fertilizers, and explore opportunities in the fields of green energy, solar parks, energy storage, smart grids, agri-tech, fintech, AI and cyber security. He proposed creation of India-Oman Agri Innovation Hub and India-Oman Innovation Bridge to make the business partnership future ready. Prime Minster emphasized that these were not just ideas, but invitation to invest, to innovate and to build the future together.

Prime Minister appreciated the strong presence of business leaders at the event and called upon them to combine enterprise with policy and give wings to CEPA. He reaffirmed that India and Oman are not just close neighbors, but strategic partners committed to stability, growth and shared prosperity in the region and beyond. 

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Cabinet approves Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN with a total outlay of Rs.28,840 crore
March 25, 2026

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the launch and implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN for a period of ten years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 with a total outlay of Rs.28,840 crore with the budgetary support of the Government of India.

Impact:

  • Enhanced regional air connectivity to underserved and unserved areas
  • Boost to economic growth, trade and tourism in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
  • Support affordable air travel for common citizens.
  • Improved emergency response and healthcare access in remote and hilly regions.
  • Greater viability and sustainability for regional aerodromes and airline operators.
  • Promotion of the indigenous aerospace sector under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

  • Progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.

The key components of the scheme are as under:

(a) Development of Aerodromes (CAPEX)

Under the Modified UDAN Scheme, it is proposed to develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips to enhance regional connectivity, in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of infrastructure expansion and transforming India into a globally competitive aviation ecosystem with a total outlay of Rs.12,159 crore over the next eight years.

(b) Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of Aerodromes

Given the high recurring O&M costs and limited revenue streams for Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-only aerodromes, the Scheme proposes to provide O&M support for three years capped at Rs.3.06 crore per annum per airport and Rs.0.90 crore per annum per heliport/water aerodrome, estimated at Rs.2,577 crore for around 441 aerodromes.

(c) Development of Modern Helipads

To address connectivity challenges in hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions, the Scheme proposes developing 200 modern helipads at Rs.15 crore each, amounting to a total requirement of Rs.3,661 crore over the next eight years (inflation-adjusted), focused on priority and aspirational districts to improve last-mile connectivity and emergency response.

(d) Viability Gap Funding (VGF)

Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, airline operators receive financial support in the form of VGF for operating awarded routes. Recognising the need for longer market development, VGF support to airline operators is proposed amounting to Rs.10,043 crore over 10 years.

(e) Atmanirbhar Bharat Aircraft Acquisition

To address the shortage of small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters required for operations in remote and difficult terrains and to advance the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, the scheme also proposes to procure two HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and two HAL Dornier aircraft for Alliance Air.

Background:

The original UDAN Scheme was launched in October 2016 with the objective of making air travel affordable and strengthening connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Over nine years of implementation:

  • 663 routes have been operationalised across 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes (as on 28 February 2026).
  • More than 3.41 lakh flights have been operated, carrying 162.47 lakh passengers.
  • Connectivity has been established in remote, hilly and island regions, boosting tourism, healthcare access and emergency services.

  • The scheme has fostered growth in regional airlines and diverse fleet operations, laying a strong foundation for the Modified UDAN Scheme.