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PM Modi will review with the leadership of Kuwait the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including areas such as politics, trade, investment, energy, culture and people-to-people ties, and what steps both sides will take to take forward Is needed. During his two-day visit…read more
The Hala Modi event will be held at Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Stadium in Kuwait. Image/News18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remain two day trip to kuwait Starting Saturday, it will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf country in 43 years. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit would provide an opportunity to further strengthen “multi-dimensional” relations between India and Kuwait. The stage is also set for the Hala Modi mega diaspora event, which is expected to be attended by around 5,000 people.
The ministry said that PM Modi is making this visit at the invitation of Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
External Affairs Ministry Secretary Arun Kumar Chatterjee stressed the strong bilateral ties, lauding the “excellent political relations” between the two countries. PM Modi will receive a ceremonial guard of honor at Bayan Palace, followed by meetings with Kuwait’s leadership. He said.
During the discussions, PM Modi will review with the leadership of Kuwait the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including politics, trade, investment, energy, culture and people-to-people relations and the steps to be taken by both sides. To increase them further, Chatterjee said. He said the Crown Prince will host a banquet in the Prime Minister’s honour.
The visit will not only strengthen the partnership in existing areas but will also open new avenues for future cooperation, reinforce shared values and build a stronger and more dynamic partnership for the future, he said. He said it is also expected to boost relations between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Highlighting PM Modi’s visit to a labor camp in Kuwait, Chatterjee said, “The Government of India attaches great importance to the welfare of all workers living abroad. Our community in Kuwait is around one million strong…The idea of the visit to the labor camp is to express how much importance the Government of India attaches to our workers who are working in a foreign country.”
He said, as far as the Kafala system is concerned, there is a mechanism called consular dialogue. “We have a mechanism for labor and manpower dialogue. All concerns have been marked under this. Chatterjee said the Kuwaiti side strives to overcome all difficulties.
The Kafala system is a set of laws and policies that assign responsibility for migrant workers to employers, including controls over their ability to enter, reside, work, and, in some cases, exit the host country.
Binoy Sebastian, a member of the organizing committee of the Hala Modi event, also spoke to CNN-News18 at Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Stadium in Kuwait.
“We are very excited because the last visit took place when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. This visit is important because Kuwait is the chair of the GCC,” he said. “We had to take leave from offices for preparations…We are excited to meet Modi ji. There will also be many cultural programs at this event PM Modi holds a special place in our hearts.”
India and Kuwait share a historic and dynamic relationship that spans decades, rooted in shared history, strong trade, vibrant cultural ties and mutual support during challenging times. This year marks a historic milestone, as the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years underlines the growing importance of this partnership.
historical connection
India and Kuwait have traditionally had friendly relations, dating back to pre-oil Kuwait, when maritime trade with India was the backbone of its economy.
Kuwait’s economy revolved around its excellent port and maritime activities, including shipbuilding, pearl diving, fishing, and voyages to India on wooden carts carrying dates, Arabian horses, and pearls, which were traded for timber, grain, , clothes and spices.
The Indian rupee remained legal tender in Kuwait until 1961, symbolizing enduring economic and cultural ties.
political relations
Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1961, with India initially represented by a Trade Commissioner. Over the years, there have been several high-level visits between the two countries, including visits by Indian leaders such as Vice President Dr. Zakir Hussain (1965), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1981) and Vice President Hamid Ansari (2009). VVIP visits from Kuwait to India were by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah (1964), Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (1980) and again in 1983 (for the NAM Summit) . ), Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2006), and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (2013). Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah visited India in July 2017 on a personal visit. The last high-level visit from both sides was the visit of the Prime Minister of Kuwait to India in 2013.
Recent high level meetings include PM Modi and Crown Prince of Kuwait edge of unga In September 2024. In 2024, foreign minister-level visits from India to Kuwait also include the visit of Dr. S. Jaishankar on August 18, 2024. Similarly, foreign minister-level visits from Kuwait to India also include the visit of Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. , on December 3-4, 2024. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit and invited the Kuwaiti leadership to visit there. The two Foreign Ministers also met on the sidelines of the first India-GCC Strategic Dialogue Committee meeting in Riyadh on September 9, 2024.
bilateral system
India and Kuwait have institutionalized their cooperation through mechanisms such as the Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC), which was established during the visit of the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister to India in December 2024, which is chaired at the Foreign Minister level. Seven new Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been set up in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture. These complement the three existing JWGs on hydrocarbons, health and consular matters, taking the total number of JWGs to 10 after the signing of the JCC.
Six rounds of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) have been held, the latest being in July 2024. Additionally, 26 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) have been signed under this framework.
economic relations
Kuwait is one of India’s top trading partners with bilateral trade expected to reach US$10.47 billion in FY 2023-24.
Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude oil supplier, meeting 3% of the country’s energy needs.
Indian exports to Kuwait reached US$2 billion for the first time, while Kuwait Investment Authority investments in India exceeded US$10 billion.
Cultural and educational relations
Cultural ties flourish with Indian music, films and cuisine becoming widely popular in Kuwait. Events like Bharat Mahotsav held in Kuwait in March 2023 and launch of a weekly hindi radio program Cultural synergy will be highlighted on Kuwait’s national radio in April 2024.
Education is another important sector, with 26 CBSE-affiliated schools serving over 60,000 students, predominantly Indians, and the establishment of a Hindi Chair at the Gulf University for Science and Technology in September 2024 for collaboration between India and Kuwait. The beach is a symbol of strengthening cultural ties.
Community and Manpower Collaboration
Indians make largest expatriate community In Kuwait, around 10 lakh, who are present in various fields, are contributing a lot and working as a “living bridge” between the two countries.
Mobility in the manpower sector has been facilitated by bilateral agreements such as the Memorandum of Understanding on Recruitment of Domestic Workers (2021).
Over 200 Indian associations actively organize socio-cultural and humanitarian initiatives, further strengthening ties between the two countries.
support in times of crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India and Kuwait stood by each other.
India sent medical teams to Kuwait, while Kuwait supplied over 425 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen and 12,500 oxygen cylinders to India during its second wave.
Energy and Science Cooperation
Kuwait remains a reliable energy partner, being the sixth largest supplier of crude oil and fourth largest supplier of LPG to India. Regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on Hydrocarbons ensure a stable and forward-looking energy partnership. Scientific collaboration includes agreements with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and Indian Agricultural Research Institutes, Department of Science and Technology, etc.
The visit marks a new chapter in the India-Kuwait partnership and promises to open up new opportunities for both countries.
