Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a flight from Abuja to Brazil on Sunday. (ANI Photo) | Photo Credit: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaving for a two-day visit to Kuwait from Saturday (December 21, 2024), which will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announcing the visit, said it would provide an opportunity to further strengthen “multilateral” ties between India and Kuwait.
Mr. Modi is said to have made the visit at the invitation of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mesal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
During the visit, Modi will hold discussions with the leadership of Kuwait and also interact with the Indian community.
“India and Kuwait traditionally share close and friendly relations that are rooted in history and are anchored in economic and strong people-to-people relations,” the MEA said in a statement.
The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
India is Kuwait’s top trading partner. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
“The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between India and Kuwait,” the MEA added.
Kuwait is one of India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade worth $10.47 billion in FY 2023-24.
Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude supplier, meeting 3% of the country’s energy needs.
Indian exports to Kuwait have reached $2 billion for the first time, while Kuwait Investment Authority’s investment in India has crossed $10 billion.
India and Kuwait have traditionally enjoyed friendly relations, with maritime trade with India being the backbone of its economy, along with oil ties to former Kuwait.
Kuwait’s economy revolved around its good harbor and maritime activities including shipbuilding, pearl diving, fishing and wooden dhows carrying dates, Arabian horses and pearls which were traded for timber, grain, cloth and spices. Relations between the two nations.
The Indian rupee remained legal tender in Kuwait until 1961, a symbol of enduring economic and cultural ties.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established in 1961, with India initially represented by a trade commissioner.
Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah visited India in July 2017 on a private visit.
The last high-level visit from both sides was the Kuwaiti Prime Minister’s visit to India in 2013.
published – Dec 18, 2024 07:45 pm IST