Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22, first by an Indian Premier in 43 years
New Delhi, December 18. As part of India’s continued efforts to strengthen ties with the Gulf region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuwait on December 21-22, the first Indian premier to do so in 43 years.
The visit comes at a critical juncture, aiming to boost bilateral relations in energy, investment, and labour collaboration, while honouring the historical bonds that have long connected the two nations.
“During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with the leadership of Kuwait,” the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Wednesday. “Prime Minister will also interact with the Indian community in Kuwait.”
India and Kuwait share traditionally close and friendly relations which are rooted in history and have been underpinned by economic and strong people to people linkages. India is among the top trading partners of Kuwait. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
The announcement of Modi’s visit to the West Asian nation comes close on the heels of the visit of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya to New Delhi earlier this month.
According to statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs following Al Yahya’s visit, the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Kuwait ties in areas including political, trade, investment, energy, food security and people to people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
It stated that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Al Yahya signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the level of Foreign Ministers.
“New joint working groups in areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture, will be set up under the JCC,” the statement read. “The JCC mechanism will act as an umbrella institutional mechanism to comprehensively review and monitor the entire gamut of our bilateral relations under the new Joint Working Groups and the existing ones in areas including hydrocarbons, health and consular matters.”
India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait following its independence from British Protectorate in 1961. Prior to the establishment of diplomatic relationship, India was represented by a trade commissioner. The year 2021-22 marked the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries.
Kuwait is a reliable energy security partner for India. During FY 2023-24, Kuwait was the 6th largest crude supplier meeting about 3 percent of Indiaʼs total energy needs.
Kuwait is also home to a one-million strong Indian diaspora. Professionals like engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects, technicians and nurses, retail traders and businessmen are present in Kuwait, apart from blue-collar workers.
“The visit (of Prime Minister Modi) will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted ties between India and Kuwait,” Wednesday’s statement by the Ministry of External Affairs further reads.
