Oman’s Sultan Haitham Begins State Visit to Kazakhstan, Signalling Push for Stronger Bilateral Ties

Astana, Kazakhstan | October 5, 2026: Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has begun a state visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Oman’s official news agency, ONA, announced the visit ahead of the Sultan’s arrival and confirmed that it will run from October 5 to 6.

The visit comes as Oman and Kazakhstan look to expand cooperation beyond their existing diplomatic relationship. According to information released ahead of the visit, the two sides are expected to hold high-level talks covering political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, investment, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties.

A high-level meeting in Astana

The Sultan’s visit is taking place in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, where preparations for the arrival of the Omani monarch had been underway since the previous day. Oman News Agency reported on October 4 that Kazakh authorities were making final preparations ahead of the state visit.

The invitation for the visit came from President Tokayev, and the two leaders are expected to discuss ways of strengthening relations between Oman and Kazakhstan.

One of the key areas on the agenda is expected to be economic cooperation. Both countries have been seeking opportunities to broaden trade and investment links, while the visit provides an opportunity for officials and business representatives to explore new areas of partnership.

Oman-Kazakhstan Business Forum

The state visit also has an important business dimension.

President Tokayev and Sultan Haitham are scheduled to participate in the Kazakhstan-Oman Business Forum, bringing government and business representatives together to explore potential investment and commercial opportunities.

Such a forum could provide a platform for companies from both countries to discuss cooperation in areas beyond traditional trade, including investment and broader economic partnerships.

Before departing Oman for Kazakhstan, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik was seen off at Al Baraka Palace and at the Sultan’s Private Airport by senior Omani and UAE officials. Among those present was His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser of the United Arab Emirates. His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, was also present during the farewell proceedings.

 

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Sultan Haitham has also maintained strong high-level engagement with leaders from major countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. His relationship with Modi has been marked by frequent official engagement and expanding Oman-India cooperation across trade, investment, defence, security, technology, energy, space, education and culture.

Sultan Haitham has also held talks with Giorgia Meloni, with Oman and Italy discussing ways to strengthen cooperation and partnership across various sectors, alongside exchanges on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

 

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Why the visit matters

Oman has traditionally maintained a foreign policy centred on diplomatic engagement and developing relations with a wide range of countries. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, occupies an important position in Central Asia and has been developing relationships with countries across the Gulf and wider Middle East.

The Sultan’s visit therefore provides an opportunity for the two governments to examine new avenues of cooperation while strengthening existing political and economic ties.

The two-day programme is expected to include official talks and meetings between senior representatives from Oman and Kazakhstan. Any agreements or memoranda announced during the visit could provide a clearer indication of the areas in which bilateral cooperation will expand.

For Oman, the visit represents another high-level diplomatic engagement under Sultan Haitham’s leadership. For Kazakhstan, hosting the Omani Sultan offers an opportunity to deepen relations with a Gulf state and explore additional economic and investment partnerships.

As the state visit continues through October 6, further details on agreements, bilateral discussions and business initiatives are expected to emerge from the official meetings.