India’s Oman Bet Looks Timely As Hormuz Crisis Deepens

Late last year, when India and Oman officially signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), there was no war with Iran cutting off the Strait of Hormuz, and the advanced timing of this now is turning out to be more fortuitous than initially expected. The agreement came into effect on June 1st, just in time to give India access to Oman’s trade routes as an alternative to Hormuz. The pact, ratified by the Omani Sultan in February this year, will see Oman eliminate customs duties on 98% of its tariff lines, giving immediate…