PM Modi arrives in Kuwait: Energy and economic cooperation on agenda

New Delhi, December 21. In a historic first in over four decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday, symbolising India’s continuing focus on the Gulf region.

The visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in 43 years, reflects the evolving dynamics of India-Kuwait relations. With a strong Indian diaspora and Kuwait’s status as a major energy supplier, Modi’s trip is poised to address pressing bilateral and regional issues while reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the Gulf.

Modi was received by Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, Minister of Defence and Interior, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Foreign Minister, and several other ministers and dignitaries after he touched down at Kuwait airport.

In a pre-departure statement earlier on Saturday, Modi said that India deeply values the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations.

“We are not just strong trade and energy partners, but also have shared interest in peace, security, stability and prosperity in the West Asia region,” he said.

He said that he looks forward to his meetings with Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at whose invitation he is going, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

“It would be an opportunity to chalk out a roadmap for a futuristic partnership for the benefit of our people and the region,” Modi stated. “I eagerly look forward to meeting the Indian diaspora in Kuwait who have immensely contributed to strengthening of bonds of friendship between the two nations.”

Modi’s visit to Kuwait follows closely on the heels of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya’s trip to India earlier this month, marking his first visit in that role. During Al Yahya’s visit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Kuwaiti counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs following Al Yahya’s visit, the JCC would oversee the creation of new joint working groups in diverse fields such as trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture. These groups will function under the JCC framework, which will serve as an umbrella mechanism to comprehensively monitor and review all aspects of bilateral relations, including existing areas like hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters.

Since Modi assumed office in 2014, India’s relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – have undergone a remarkable transformation. This period has seen a deepening of strategic, economic, and cultural ties, with the Gulf region emerging as a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy.

Kuwait is the only GCC nation Modi has not visited during his decade-long tenure as Prime Minister. India and Kuwait share a long-standing and friendly relationship, historically rooted in trade. In fact, the Indian rupee was used as legal tender in Kuwait until 1961, underscoring the deep economic ties between the two nations.

India-Kuwait relations have always had an important trade dimension. India has consistently been among the top trading partners of Kuwait. Total bilateral trade with Kuwait during financial year 2023-24 was $10.47 billion. Indian exports have increased from $1.56 billion in 2022-23 to $2.1 billion in 2023-24 with year-on-year growth of 34.7 percent with top five export items being aircraft parts, cereals, organic chemicals, vehicles, and electric machinery.

During 2023-24, Kuwait was the sixth largest crude supplier meeting about 3 percent of Indiaʼs total energy needs.

Apart from his official engagements, during the course of his two-day visit, will address the one million-strong Indian diaspora in Kuwait in an event titled ‘Hala Modi’. Indians comprise the largest expatriate community in Kuwait and is regarded as the community of first preference among the expatriate communities. Professionals like engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects; technicians and nurses, retail traders and businessmen have made their mark in Kuwait, apart from a large number of blue-collar workers. The Indian business community in Kuwait has carved a niche in the Kuwaiti market in retail as well as distributorship. Indian associations registered with the Embassy.

Apart from his interaction with the Indian diaspora, Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, a biennial football competition, later on Saturday as a special guest of the Amir of Kuwait.