Most of the nitti-gritties of the proposed India- Oman free trade agreement (FTA) have been sorted out but there are still last-mile negotiations going on over India’s demand for relaxations in the Gulf country’s Omanisation policy which prioritises employment of Omani nationals in the private sector, sources said.

New Delhi has also been concerned over a possible misuse of the pact by Chinese exporters but is hopeful that the rules of origin, which are tighter for more sensitive items, would help check circumvention.

“In the earlier stages of the negotiations, there were disagreements over the number of items to be covered under the pact and Oman’s demand on petrochemicals, but most of the irritants have been sorted out. However, there are still some issues that need to be ironed out

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