Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Kuwait on December 22, 2024. Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (December 22, 2024) left for Kuwait after a “successful” two-day visit in which the two countries upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership, marking a new era of bilateral cooperation and growth. .
“Thank you Kuwait! This visit was historic and will greatly enrich our bilateral relations. I thank the government and people of Kuwait for their warmth. I also thank the Prime Minister of Kuwait for the special farewell gesture at the airport.” ” Mr. Modi said in a post on X.
Mr. Modi’s visit to Kuwait is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years.
In a special gesture, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah came to see off Mr. Modi at the airport as he left for India.
“Historic and successful visit to Kuwait complete! PM @narendramodi taking flight for New Delhi,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
During his visit, Mr. Modi held extensive talks with the country’s top leadership, including Emir Sheikh Mesal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with whom he discussed enhancing ties in information technology, medicine, fintech, infrastructure and security.
“Based on the close relationship between our nations, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic one and I am hopeful that our friendship will flourish further in the days to come,” Mr Modi said in a post on X.
Mr. Modi held wide-ranging talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Crown Prince of Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, focusing on giving new momentum to overall bilateral relations.
Kuwait has also awarded Prime Minister Modi with its highest honor – ‘The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabir’ – for his role in strengthening the good relations between the two countries.
On Saturday, Mr. Modi addressed an Indian community program and visited an Indian labor camp. The over 1 million strong Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
The Gulf nation is one of India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade worth $10.47 billion in fiscal year 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.
published – December 22, 2024 at 09:07 hrs IST