New Delhi  - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday began a three-day visit to the energy-rich Gulf nations of Oman and Qatar for talks on investment, trade and energy.

Federal Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Planning Comission chief Montek Singh Ahluwalia are accompanying Singh.

In a statement ahead of his visit, Singh said: "The Gulf region is an area of vital importance for India's security and prosperity. We have always enjoyed a very special relationship with countries of the region."

Given the current global financial crisis, Singh also noted that the region's surplus funds could play an important role in increased investment in India.

At least 4.5 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region, remitting a little less than 9 billion US dollars to India every year. Their safety and welfare are expected to figure in the talks between Singh and the leaders of Oman and Qatar.

The region is also important for India as a source for energy. India imports about 70 per cent of its crude oil. More than 60 per cent of those imports comes from the Gulf region.

On his first stop at Muscat, Singh is scheduled to hold talks with Omanese Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd Mahmoud Al Said on Saturday evening and meet Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said on Sunday.

In Doha, he will meet the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani and will hold discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassam bin Jabor al Thani.

India and Oman are expected to sign three key pacts during the prime minister's visit that includes a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for setting up the India-Oman Fund, a manpower agreement and another on consultations between the foreign service training institutes of the two countries, IANS news agency reported. (dpa)