Indian Prime Minister kicks off historic visit to Kuwait

“I arrived in Kuwait to a warm welcome.

This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years and will definitely strengthen the friendship between India and Kuwait in various fields.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted an article in English and Arabic on social network X shortly after arriving in Kuwait City this afternoon, December 21.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted an article in Arabic and the first images from his visit to Kuwait, December 21. (Screenshot)

During his two-day visit to Kuwait, at the invitation of His Majesty Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the head of the Indian government will meet with the host country's leaders, interact with the Indian community, and participate in a regional football tournament...

This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait - an important partner in West Asia for energy and trade, since Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's (1917-1984) visit in 1981. Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Kuwait in 2009, marking India's most recent high-level visit to the Gulf nation.

“For all of you, it took just four hours to reach India, but for the Prime Minister, it took four decades.” (Prime Minister Modi speaking at the “Hala Modi” event in Kuwait, December 21)

In a message before departing for this historic trip, Prime Minister Modi expressed his desire to meet the Emir, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kuwait. The meetings with the host country’s senior leadership “will be an opportunity to chart a roadmap for a future partnership for the benefit of our people and the region.”

Highlighting the deep historical ties between the two countries – “not only as strong trade and energy partners but also as shared interests in peace , security, stability and prosperity in the West Asian region”, the Indian leader expressed confidence that the visit would “consolidate and strengthen the special ties and friendship between the people of India and Kuwait”.

Kuwait is home to about 1 million Indians - 21% of the country's total population and 30% of its workforce. An integral part of Modi's foreign itinerary is his engagement with the Indian community. In Kuwait, he addressed a community event and visited a labor camp for Indian workers.

He will also attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, a major regional sporting event. “I look forward to being a part of this celebration of sporting excellence and unity in the region,” the Indian leader said.

Upon arriving in Kuwait City, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Indian community - the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. (Source: X)

Defense and security cooperation is the main focus

High-level visits are not the main stream of India-Kuwait relations, but trade and energy are a bright spot in bilateral cooperation. According to NDTV, the links between India and Kuwait began long before oil was discovered in the Middle Eastern country. Maritime trade with India was once the backbone of the country’s economy.

Currently, India is one of Kuwait’s top trading partners, with two-way trade reaching $10.47 billion in the 2023-24 financial year. India’s exports are expected to increase from $1.56 billion in 2022-23 to $2.1 billion in 2023-24, representing a CAGR of 34.7%.

Kuwait is India's sixth-largest crude oil supplier, meeting 3% of the South Asian country's energy needs, while Kuwait Investment Authority's investments in India exceed $10 billion.

“This visit is expected to open a new chapter in India-Kuwait relations.” (Indian Ministry of External Affairs)

Besides trade, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, strengthening defense and security cooperation will be the main focus of the two-day visit. Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Under Secretary of State for Overseas Indians Affairs, said the two sides are discussing a bilateral investment treaty and a defense cooperation agreement.

The visit is also meant to strengthen ties between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), currently chaired by Kuwait, Mr. Chatterjee added.

Trade between India and the GCC, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, is expected to reach $184.46 billion by 2022-23, underlining the importance of the region to the economic and strategic interests of the Gangetic country.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-an-do-khoi-dong-chuyen-tham-lich-su-den-kuwait-298252.html