WINDSOR: The state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the United Kingdom (UK), which began on Monday, received widespread attention across international media outlets, including global news agencies and newspapers.
The media highlighted its political significance and historical dimensions within the context of the deep-rooted ties of friendship and partnership uniting the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom, along with the extraordinary importance it acquires as the first visit of its kind in more than four decades. This Royal visit by His Majesty is not merely a protocol event, but rather a new chapter in the narrative of a historical relationship and an established friendship described as ‘unshook’ since the treaty of 1800.
From the halls of Oxford University to the corridors of the British-Omani Society, which was founded fifty years ago, the bridges of this friendship extend to encompass youth, scientific research, and manufacturing, confirming that the rich history serves as the foundation upon which the future partnership is constructed.
In this context, several UK-based researchers and specialists emphasised to ONA the importance of this visit in consolidating the close ties of friendship between Oman and the United Kingdom and opening broader horizons for partnership and cooperation. They noted that in a world experiencing accelerated transformations, this visit stands out as a remarkable exception: a relationship built not only on immediate interests, but on mutual respect for the rule of law and a shared maritime heritage.
Richard Stanford, Chairman of the British-Omani Society, affirmed that the state visit paid by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the UK constitutes an extraordinary tribute to the historical bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. He highlighted the importance of this event in consolidating and strengthening relations between the two nations, as well as celebrating the historical bonds of friendship between the two countries and their friendly peoples, whose roots extend back hundreds of years.
He pointed out that this visit represents a prominent milestone in the course of relations between the two countries, carrying with it confirmation of the ongoing reinforcement of their ties and building upon their firm foundations while looking towards the future. He noted that promising opportunities in Oman and the UK allow both countries to intensify cooperation in several fields, including economic sectors, scientific research, and manufacturing, as well as opportunities available to youth in both nations.
He explained that the long history between the two countries constitutes a solid foundation, and that His Majesty the Sultan’s Royal visit comes to consolidate this relationship and seek to develop and strengthen it in the future; while history is important, ensuring that the two countries continue together and remain close in the future is no less vital.
He addressed the role of the British-Omani Society, established fifty years ago, in developing and advancing bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. He pointed out that the society runs various programmes aimed at youth in Oman and the UK, with the objective of imparting skills suited for the work environment, covering several fields ranging from the environment and business to preparing young people to become future leaders.
The Chairman of the British-Omani Society stated that there are several joint research programmes between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom, where university research is converted into startups and subsequently put into production. Many of these companies are conducting discussions with Oman to manufacture technologies discovered at British universities locally within Oman.
He elaborated that these fields encompass a wide range of technologies, extending from technologies supporting the achievement of Net-Zero to satellite communication technologies, stressing that Oman possesses promising opportunities and capabilities in manufacturing and technical advancement.
He explained that the British-Omani Society has been executing distinguished programmes for some time and looks forward to expanding their scope with the support of sponsoring companies, particularly in youth development sectors, alongside sports, environment, business, and economic development — fields that are all aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
He confirmed that the society takes pride in the continuous growth and notable development it has achieved over the past fifty years to reach its current status, looking forward to further growth. He highlighted that the core of the relationship the society seeks to consolidate is an intergenerational one, in which future generations take up the torch and carry it forward, an aspect of paramount importance in the trajectory of bilateral relations.
For his part, Prof Eugene Rogan, Director of the Middle East Centre at St Antony’s College, Oxford University, affirmed that the Royal visit of His Majesty the Sultan constitutes an important opportunity to renew the bonds of friendship and historical ties between Oman and the UK. He noted that holding the official reception ceremonies at Windsor Castle carries historical and symbolic significance, reflecting the ancient roots of Omani-British relations spanning several centuries.
He pointed out that bilateral relations enjoy the care and attention of His Majesty the Sultan and His Majesty King Charles III, an interest that serves as an extension of the support these relations received during the era of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
He explained that water forms the essential link between Oman and the UK, as both are maritime nations with a long-standing history in seafaring navigation.
Prof Eugene stated that throughout history, Oman has remained an outward-looking society, as its geographical and civilisational ties extended to South Asia and East Africa, alongside the south of the Arabian Peninsula, confirming that it is a nation founded on openness and tolerance. He emphasised that this culture, rooted in Oman’s history as a maritime power, has shaped its standing in international relations in the 21st century.
He highlighted that Oman is distinguished by its ability to maintain good diplomatic relations with all parties and has played a positive and constructive role in directing regional conflicts toward diplomatic settlements. He affirmed that both Oman and the UK respect the sovereign rights of nations and believe that conflicts are best resolved through diplomatic means, adding that we live in an era where many countries resort first to military means to impose national priorities instead of attempting to find common ground through negotiation.
He explained that what connects the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom is mutual respect for the rule of law and shared support for international law. In this regard, he stated that the initial relations between the two countries were governed by treaties respected by both sides for their mutual benefit; despite the age of those treaties, examining the dynamic relationship between the two countries in the twenty-first century reveals that Oman and the UK represent models of two states upholding a global order based on international law at a time when this system is under immense pressure.
He stressed the pivotal role of culture and the prominent status enjoyed by the Arab world in the global cultural landscape, noting in this context the role played by the Middle East Centre at Oxford University in building bridges of communication between the Sultanate of Oman and the international community of historians to elevate the narrative of Oman’s history in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Dr Farhan Ahmad Nizami, Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, pointed out that the Royal visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik reflects the level of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, which date back more than two centuries.
He explained that Oman occupies a unique position regarding the nature of its relationship with the United Kingdom, combining ties at the leadership level, government-to-government relations, and a third level connecting the two countries on a cultural and civilisational scale.
He highlighted the contributions of the Omani approach — based on dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect — in enhancing rapprochement and deepening understanding among cultures and civilisations, noting that the attention received by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies over past decades from the leadership in the Sultanate of Oman reflects the contributions of this approach.
He explained that the Centre includes a chair named after Oman, alongside a hall bearing the same name that houses all its activities, situated adjacent to King Charles III Garden. The building and the garden stand side by side, such that within the hall itself, an Omani fellow sits alongside the recipient of the King Charles III Fellowship, while the Centre also hosts visiting scholars from Oman.
He emphasised the important role that academic and cultural institutions can play in expanding the horizons of Omani-British cooperation and strengthening ties between emerging generations in both countries, stressing that relations between peoples and scientific research — through the better understanding of peoples and cultures — should form the foundation upon which these ties rest.
Dr Farhan Ahmad Nizami, Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, considered the relationship between Oman and the UK a fine example of this, as its bonds are consolidated through continuous interaction between peoples, whether in commerce, security, education, or culture.
He pointed out that deploying British academic and research expertise in developing Omani competencies and enhancing scientific and academic cooperation between the two countries constitutes an essential pillar for building a sustainable relationship that yields mutual benefit, affirming that joint work opens horizons for exchanging knowledge and expertise, contributing to solidifying human relations and building firm friendships between the two sides.
Dr Fouad Abdel-Razek, an expert in British and international affairs, affirmed that the state visit paid by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the United Kingdom is not merely a protocol visit, but an expression of the depth of historical relations extending for more than two centuries that have succeeded in navigating political, regional, and international transformations.
He added that Omani-British relations trace their roots back to the early nineteenth century and have witnessed multiple stages of political, commercial, and security cooperation, but have acquired broader dimensions in the modern era, extending into the era of the renewed renaissance under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan.
He explained that the visit carries a clear message that historical relations derive their strength not from the past alone, but from their ability to adapt to the present and invest in the future.
He stated that the secret to the success of this relationship lies in its not remaining captive to the past, despite its richness, but rather gradually transforming from a traditional strategic relationship into a multidimensional partnership that continuously expands to encompass new domains, confirming that this visit transcends protocols to address practical aspects, drawing inspiration from the past while envisioning the future.
Dr Fouad Abdel-Razek pointed out that this relationship today rests on partnership and mutual interests while respecting political decision-making and the distinct foreign policy of both nations. He explained that there is added significance in light of current tensions in the Middle East, where the Sultanate of Oman represents a voice for dialogue and de-escalation, while Britain remains an influential nation enjoying broad political, security, and economic relations in the region.
He explained that the continuity of Omani-British relations rests on three main pillars: the first being political trust accumulated over decades, which helped both countries maintain channels of communication even during periods of regional and international turmoil.
He added that the second pillar consists of defence and security cooperation, which represents one of the main pillars of this relationship, whether through joint military training, expertise exchange, or cooperation in maritime security.
He mentioned that the third pillar comprises economic and commercial interests, which evolved from historical maritime and trade relations into partnerships encompassing investment, energy, education, and technology, noting a highly important factor represented by mutual understanding between the two leaderships and respect for the Omani approach based on balance and non-alignment with bloc politics. – ONA
