"India is a very special partner for Oman and we are working to enhance this relationship further, not only in our cultural cooperation but in trade and political matters as well," Al-Maani said, after inaugurating a two-day seminar on literature and cultural heritage of India and Oman at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here.

The university also hosted two scholars from the country, on the eve of its 40th National Day, who stressed on the similarities between the languages of India and Oman.

"Urdu has many Arabic words and Arabic too has many Indian words in it. So does our cultures, clothing etc. We have also shared great trade relations," said Dr. Said Sulaiman Al-Isaie, one of the visiting scholars.