India-Kuwait become strategic partners

On December 22, in Kuwait, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the host country's King Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Kuwait City on December 22. (Source: KUNA)

Arab News reported that during the first historic visit in 43 years by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf country, the two countries signed four important agreements, notably a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the agreement will promote cooperation in the areas of defence industry, joint training, equipment supply and research and development. In addition, the two sides reached agreements on sports, culture and solar energy.

During the high-level talks, the two sides had in-depth discussions on enhancing cooperation in many areas, from economy, trade, energy to people-to-people exchange.

Prime Minister Modi has invited Kuwaiti investors to explore investment opportunities in India, especially in the energy, defence, pharmaceuticals and technology sectors.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi expressed support for Kuwait's "Vision 2035" and expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through Kuwait's chairmanship.

The two-day visit is considered an important turning point, opening up new cooperation prospects and bringing bilateral relations to new heights after more than four decades.

Earlier, on December 18, in a statement about Prime Minister Modi's visit to Kuwait, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs affirmed that the two countries "share a traditionally close and friendly relationship, rooted in history and reinforced by strong economic and people-to-people ties."

India and Kuwait are each other's top trading partners, with bilateral trade turnover reaching $10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24.

Kuwait is India’s sixth-largest crude oil supplier, meeting 3% of the South Asian nation’s energy needs. India’s exports to Kuwait hit $2 billion for the first time, while Kuwait Investment Authority’s investments in India crossed $10 billion.

The two countries officially established diplomatic relations in 1961. The Indian Rupee remained legal tender in Kuwait until 1961, a symbol of long-standing economic and cultural ties.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chuyen-tham-lich-su-lam-nen-buoc-ngoat-an-do-kuwait-tro-thanh-doi-tac-chien-luoc-298387.html