Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going on a two-day visit to Kuwait from December 21. This will be the first visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo/PMO)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going on a two-day visit to Kuwait from December 21. This will be the first visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation.
Addressing ‘X’, Modi wrote, “Today and tomorrow I will visit Kuwait. This visit will further deepen India’s historic ties with Kuwait. I look forward to meeting His Highness the Amir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Kuwait.”
Today and tomorrow I am going to Kuwait. The visit will further deepen India’s historic ties with Kuwait. I look forward to meeting His Highness the Amir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Kuwait.
This evening, I will interact with the Indian community and…
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2024
“This evening, I will interact with the Indian community and also attend the opening ceremony of the Arabian Golf Cup,” he added.
Further, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Prime Minister’s visit would strengthen “multilateral” ties between India and Kuwait. The stage is set for a grand reception for Prime Minister Modi in Kuwait, which is expected to be attended by around 5,000 people. News 18 Reported.
According to MEA, PM Narendra Modi is visiting at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meisal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Giving details of the visit, MEA Secretary Arun Kumar Chatterjee said that Prime Minister Modi will receive a formal guard of honor at Bayan Palace. After this, he will meet with the leadership of Kuwait.
During the discussion, the Prime Minister will review the entire field of bilateral relations including politics, trade, investment, energy, culture, people-to-people relations. The leaders will also discuss important steps needed by both sides to deepen ties, Chatterjee said.
Besides, the crown prince will host a banquet in honor of Prime Minister Modi, he added.
Prime Minister’s visit to labor camp
Speaking about the Prime Minister’s visit to the labor camp in Kuwait, Arun Chatterjee said that the visit will strengthen India’s commitment to the labor community living abroad.
“The Indian government attaches great importance to the welfare of all workers abroad. We have a community of around one million people in Kuwait…The aim of the visit to the labor camp is to express how much importance the Indian government attaches to our workers working abroad”, he said.
Historical relation
India and Kuwait have enjoyed traditional friendly relations for decades. According to a report by News 18The relationship between the two countries dates back to Kuwait’s oil past, when it was heavily dependent on maritime trade with India.
Good harbors and maritime activities, shipbuilding, pearl diving, fishing, and travel to India on wooden dhows carrying dates, Arabian horses, and pearls contributed greatly to Kuwait’s economy.
Political relations
High-level visits have taken place between India and Kuwait, including Vice President Dr Zakir Hussain, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Vice President Hamid Ansari. Besides, VVIP visits to India from Kuwait include Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
On the sidelines of UNGA 2024, PM Modi and the Crown Prince of Kuwait held a bilateral meeting. In August 2024, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Kuwait. Similarly, on December 3-4, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya visited India and invited the Kuwaiti leadership to visit there.
economic relations
With bilateral trade of USD 10.47 billion in FY 2023-24, Kuwait stands among India’s top trading partners. Moreover, Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude supplier, meeting 3% of the country’s energy needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic
India and Kuwait have come a long way, testifying to their time-tested friendship and strong political and economic ties. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India sent a medical team to Kuwait, and in the second wave, India provided 425 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen and 12,500 oxygen cylinders.