Kuwait: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held wide-ranging talks with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mesal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on giving new momentum to India-Kuwait relations, especially in the areas of trade, investment and energy. Modi has arrived here. On a two-day visit on Saturday, the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah.
The talks will focus on smoothing ties in key areas including defense and trade, officials said earlier.
On Saturday, Modi addressed an Indian community program and visited an Indian labor camp.
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 Gulf nation is one of India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade worth USD 10.47 billion in FY 2023-24.
Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude supplier, meeting 3 percent of the country’s energy needs.
Indian exports to Kuwait have reached 2 billion US dollars for the first time, while Kuwait Investment Authority’s investment in India has crossed 10 billion US dollars.