India and Kuwait on Sunday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, signing a key agreement on boosting defense cooperation and vowing to soon finalize an ambitious investment pact, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Emir Sheikh Meshal. Had extensive conversations with al-Ahmad al-Jaber al- Sabah and other top leaders of the Gulf country gave broad based bilateral relations.
Both sides also discussed ways to transform the existing ‘buyer-seller’ relationship in the energy sector into a broader engagement with greater cooperation in the upstream and downstream sectors and agreed to explore Kuwait’s participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves Programme. of.
Apart from the Emir, Modi held separate talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, seeking to provide a new impetus to overall ties. More attention was paid to.
“This visit was historic and will greatly enhance our bilateral relations,” Modi said at the ‘X’ at the end of his two-day visit. In a special gesture, the Kuwaiti Prime Minister came to see Modi at the airport.
According to a joint statement, both sides directed each other’s respective officials to “expeditiously pursue and complete the ongoing negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty”.
To enhance energy cooperation, both sides expressed keenness to support companies from both countries to enhance cooperation in the field of oil and gas exploration and production, refining and engineering services and petrochemical industries, it said.
A total of four agreements were signed, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence. Other agreements will provide cooperation in the areas of sports, culture and solar energy.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) in the ministry, said the MoU on defense will provide for cooperation in defense industries, supply of defense equipment, joint exercises, training, exchange of personnel and experts and research and development. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a media briefing.
The joint statement said the defense agreement will facilitate cooperation in coastal defence, maritime security and joint development and production of defense equipment.
At the talks, both sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, and called for disrupting terrorism financing networks and safe havens.
Both sides also agreed to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, sharing of information and intelligence and exchange of best practices and technologies.
In their delegation-level talks, the two Prime Ministers discussed a roadmap to strengthen the strategic partnership in the areas of trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, cultural and people-to-people ties. Ministry of External Affairs.
In a post on ‘X’, Modi described his talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart as “fruitful”.
He said, “Our talks covered the entire gamut of India-Kuwait relations, including trade, commerce, people-to-people relations and much more. Key MoUs and agreements were also exchanged, enhancing bilateral relations. will be strengthened.”
The Indian Prime Minister invited a delegation of Kuwaiti Investment Authority and other stakeholders to visit India to look at new opportunities in sectors including energy, defence, medical devices, pharma and food parks, among others.
In the meetings, the Indian side also showed keen interest in intensifying its cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through Kuwait’s chairmanship of the influential group.
In their discussions, Modi and the Amir mainly discussed boosting ties in the areas of information technology, pharmaceuticals, fintech, infrastructure and security.
Modi thanked the Emir for ensuring the well-being of over one million Indians in Kuwait, while the Kuwaiti leader lauded the community’s contribution to the Gulf country’s development journey.
“Excellent meeting with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. We discussed cooperation in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech, infrastructure and security,” Modi said in another post on ‘X’ ”
“In line with the close ties between our countries, we have elevated our partnership to the strategic level and I am optimistic that our friendship will grow even further in the times to come,” he said.
Chatterjee said the Indian side is confident that “this historic visit of the Prime Minister will open a new chapter in relations between India and Kuwait.”
Both sides have been able to identify several important areas of cooperation and both sides will work to complete them, he said.
In the meeting with Crown Prince Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Modi told that India attaches utmost importance to its bilateral relations with Kuwait.
Modi said, “The discussions covered ways to deepen economic and cultural ties between our countries. We are extremely optimistic about the India-Kuwait strategic partnership reaching new heights of success in the times to come.”
The External Affairs Ministry said the two leaders also stressed close coordination between the two sides at the United Nations and other multilateral fora.
“The Prime Minister expressed confidence that India-GCC relations will further strengthen under Kuwait’s chairmanship,” it said.
The Crown Prince hosted a banquet in Modi’s honour.
In their delegation-level talks, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the recent signing of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).
Under the JCC, new Joint Working Groups have been established in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture in addition to the existing JWGs on health, manpower and hydrocarbons.
The MoUs include a cultural exchange program and another ‘Working Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports’. Fourth, there is a framework agreement on Kuwait’s joining the International Solar Alliance.
Earlier in the day, Modi was given a ceremonial welcome at the Bayan Palace and was received by the Kuwaiti PM.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the talks between the Prime Minister and the Emir focused on exploring ways to take India-Kuwait relations to “new heights”.
In their discussions, Modi and the Kuwaiti Emir recalled the strong historical and friendly relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their full commitment to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation.
The External Affairs Ministry said Modi appreciated the new initiatives being taken by Kuwait to fulfill its ‘Vision 2035’ and praised the emir for successfully hosting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit earlier this month. Congratulated.
The GCC is an influential grouping that includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India’s trade with GCC countries in the financial year 2022-23 was US$ 184.46 billion.
Modi also expressed his gratitude for inviting him as ‘guest of honour’ to the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Saturday.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the emir respected Modi’s sentiments and appreciated India’s role as a valued partner in Kuwait and the Gulf region.
It said that Kuwaiti leaders look forward to India’s greater role and contribution towards realizing Kuwait’s ‘Vision 2035’.
Modi invited the Amir, Crown Prince and Kuwaiti PM to visit India.
The Gulf country is one of India’s top trading partners with bilateral trade valued at US$10.47 billion in fiscal year 2023-24.
Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude oil supplier, meeting 3 percent of the country’s energy needs.
Indian exports to Kuwait reached US$2 billion for the first time, while investments by Kuwait Investment Authority in India exceeded US$10 billion.
The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
