Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (December 21, 2024) assured that the Diaspora has filled the canvas of Kuwait with the colors of Indian skills and that India has the manpower, skills and technology that the ‘new Kuwait’ needs.
Prime Minister Modi, who is on a visit to Kuwait at the invitation of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mesal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was addressing a gathering of the Indian community here. His visit to Kuwait is the first by any Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years.
“It takes four hours to reach here from India, but it took four decades for an Indian Prime Minister to go to Kuwait,” he said.
Congratulating those gathered for the series of festivals to be celebrated over the next few weeks, Prime Minister Modi said, “You all come from different parts of India, but looking at you all, one feels that a small India is gathered here. “
“Hundreds of Indians come to Kuwait every year; You added an Indian touch to Kuwaiti society. You have filled the canvas of Kuwait with the colors of Indian skill, blending the essence of India’s talent, technology and tradition,” he added.
India has the manpower, skills and technology required for a ‘New Kuwait’, he added.
‘Restoring peace in Gaza and Ukraine’
In an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)PM Modi voiced his willingness to help efforts that could lead to the early restoration of peace in Gaza and Ukraine, and that solutions to such conflicts cannot be found on the battlefield. He stressed the importance of honest and pragmatic engagement among stakeholders to overcome differences and achieve a negotiated solution.
He reiterated India’s support for a negotiated two-state solution towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine within secure and recognized borders.
‘Ready to transform India-Kuwait relations into strategic partnership’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and Kuwait share a deep and historic bond and the two nations are ready to transform their traditional buyer-seller relationship into a strategic partnership by exploring opportunities across the entire oil and gas value chain.
With Kuwait emerging as India’s sixth largest crude supplier and fourth largest LPG supplier, PM Modi said, “There is scope for further cooperation as his country emerges as the third largest global consumer of energy, oil and LPG. Kuwait accounts for about 6.5% of global oil reserves. occupied,” he said.
PM Modi said the petrochemical sector offers another promising opportunity for cooperation as India’s fast-growing petrochemical industry is set to reach $300 billion by 2025.
The energy partnership between the two countries is not only a pillar of economic relations, but also a conduit for diverse and sustainable development, setting the path to a future of shared prosperity, he said.
Prime Minister Modi described the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as an organization of six countries in the Middle East, including Kuwait, which is important to India.
India’s ties with the Gulf are rooted in historical, cultural and trade ties, with the GCC region accounting for about one-sixth of India’s total trade and hosting about one-third of the Indian diaspora, he said. “Nearly nine million Indians living in the region are contributing positively to its economic growth,” he added.
In an interview with the cornerHe expressed happiness over the entry into Kuwait of ‘Made in India’ products, particularly in the automobile, electrical and mechanical machinery and telecom sectors.
He said India today is producing world-class products at the most affordable cost, stressing that diversification into non-oil trade is key to achieving greater bilateral trade.
Prime Minister Modi said there is ample scope for expanding bilateral cooperation in the fields of medicine, health, technology, digital, innovation and textiles.
Prime Minister Modi attended the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait
The Prime Minister attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Golf Cup at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait on Saturday (December 22, 2024) as the chief guest. He joined Kuwait’s Emir, Crown Prince and Prime Minister to witness the grand opening ceremony.
“The program also provided an opportunity for the prime minister to have an informal interaction with the leadership of Kuwait,” said a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kuwait is hosting the biennial Arabian Golf Cup in which eight countries including GCC nations, Iraq and Yemen are participating. Kuwait was scheduled to play Oman in the opening match of the eight-team tournament.
The tournament is one of the most prominent sporting events in the region. Among the countries participating in the tournament, Kuwait has won the title the most times.
published – December 21, 2024 at 11:30 am IST