Muscat: Indian ambassador to Oman Anil Wadhwa has hailed the developments in bilateral relations between Oman and India.
"We have seen excellent progress in economic relations and trade, between India and Oman over the past year," the Indian envoy said in his speech to celebrate 62nd Indian Republic Day at the embassy premises on Wednesday.
He revealed that the bilateral trade between the two countries had touched $4.5 billion in the financial year 2009-10.
Wadhwa also hoisted the Indian National Flag and read out the "Address of President of India" at the ceremony held at the Indian School Al Ghubra.
More than 500 members of Indian community from all walks of life attended the function at the embassy while around 800 were present at the Indian School Ghubra, where school pupils rendered Indian national anthem and patriotic songs.
Wadhwa said that the spirit behind the celebration of Republic day is not only to celebrate India's freedom, secularism and democracy, "but it also makes us feel proud of our culture, languages, social norms, traditions, customs, religions, social harmony and the individual distinctiveness that makes up India as a whole an unique multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country."
