Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuwait on December 21-22, 2024, at the invitation of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait after 43 years, therefore marking a milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations.
During his visit, PM Modi will engage with the Indian diaspora in Kuwait at a community event, visit a labour camp to express the Indian government’s commitment to the welfare of workers abroad, and attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as a special guest of the Emir.
At a Special Briefing held by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Secretary for Consular, Passport, and Visa (CPV) and Overseas Indian Affairs (OIA), Arun Kumar Chatterjee, highlighted the importance of PM Modi’s visit, stating that it reflects the strong political relations between India and Kuwait. “This visit marks a historic moment, as it is the first time in 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister will visit Kuwait,” Chatterjee noted.
PM Modi will receive a ceremonial guard of honor at the Bayan Palace, the official residence of the Emir. He will then hold separate meetings with the Emir of Kuwait and the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, followed by delegation-level talks with the Kuwaiti Prime Minister. These discussions will cover a wide range of issues, including political relations, trade, investment, energy, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties. The Crown Prince will also host a banquet in honor of the Indian Prime Minister.
The visit is seen as an opportunity to elevate the India-Kuwait relationship to new heights, exploring fresh avenues for cooperation while consolidating existing partnerships. It is also expected to strengthen India’s ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which Kuwait is a key member.
A key focus of PM Modi’s visit will be his visit to a labour camp, where he will interact with Indian workers. Chatterjee emphasized that the welfare of Indian workers abroad is a top priority for the Indian government, noting that there are around one million Indians working in Kuwait. “This visit will underscore the importance India places on the welfare of its citizens working in foreign countries,” he said.
India and Kuwait share a long-standing relationship based on historical ties, robust economic exchanges, and cultural connections. In recent years, the two countries have further strengthened their political and economic ties. PM Modi met the Crown Prince of Kuwait in September 2024 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, and earlier in the year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Kuwait in August.
On December 3-4, 2024, the Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Ali Al Hayya, visited India, further cementing bilateral ties. Additionally, the Foreign Ministers of both countries met in September 2024 during the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh.
These high-level visits and ministerial exchanges have injected new momentum into India-Kuwait relations. A significant outcome of these engagements was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for cooperation. This commission, to be headed by the Foreign Ministers of both nations, will facilitate the creation of new joint working groups in sectors such as trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture. MEA stated that India is one of Kuwait’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 10 billion in 2023-24. Kuwait is also a reliable energy partner for India, supplying crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Kuwaiti investments in India further strengthen the economic relationship between the two nations.
PM Modi’s visit to Kuwait is set to not only reaffirm the strong historical ties between the two countries but also pave the way for deeper and more diversified cooperation in the future.
With inputs from ANI.