Dubai, Jan 28 (IANS): The Indian embassy in Oman issued a record 59,000 visas to Omani nationals in 2013, signifying a robust flow of tourists from that Gulf nation to India, India's Ambassador to Oman J.S. Mukul has said.

"Medical tourism remained an attraction as India offers state-of-the-art medical facilities and excellent healthcare at a fraction of the cost elsewhere,” the Times Of Oman quoted Mukul as saying while speaking at a function to mark India's 65th Republic Day at the embassy premises in Oman's capital Muscat Sunday.

He added that the last civil aviation agreement had increased direct flights between the two countries to over 400 per week.

"Bilateral trade is vibrant, having crossed the level of $5 billion, and still growing. In 2012, India topped the list of destinations for Omani non-oil exports. Investment flows remain buoyant," the ambassador said.

He said India takes bilateral economic ties with the country seriously.