Long ago Oman, a country rich in copper, frankincense and dates and Bharat, an exotic land of spices and diamonds were great trade partners. The skilled seamen of Oman would pile their sturdy boats with good and set sail towards the richest and most beautiful of Oriental countries. Sometimes they took dates and frankincense. And sometimes they took thoroughbred Arabian horses. When they returned, they carried home rice, spices, teak wood and invaluable jewels.

Those are the earliest beginnings of the bilateral trade relations between the Sultanate of Oman and India. And the traditions of economic, political and cultural exchange continues even today. Import-export transactions, joint venture companies and other schemes of mutual benefit link Oman and India extensively.

Among the population of 2.1 million people in Oman, there are 350,000 people of Indian origin.

The Indian community populations comprises of 70% Malayalees followed by Sindhis, Gujaratis and Punjabis.In addition to several beautiful masjids, there are temples, gurudwaras and churches in Oman. The first ever temple built in Oman was the Mata temple. Jogi Bawa temple is one of the popular religious places visited by many. The Shiv temple is the latest addition which is patronized by all Hindus.

The first settlers to establish their trading posts in Oman were the members of the Bhatia community in the 15th Century. The main area of their activity was money-lending and exchange. Bhatias owned properties and collected rents. Their political influence and reliability was so great that a member of the Bhatia community was appointed as Director of Port Customs to collect taxes. The early settlers also included Hindu Banias and members of the Khoja community.