PM Modi’s historic visit to Kuwait: All you need to know | India News

Indian diaspora in Kuwait awaits PM Modi’s historic visit (ANI photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kuwait on December 21-22, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. This visit, at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, is expected to bolster the long-standing ties between India and Kuwait across various sectors, including trade, defense, and energy.

Significance of the visit

Diplomatic milestone: Being the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait since Indira Gandhi’s visit in 1981, MEA described the trip as “historic” and a step toward opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Strengthening bilateral ties: PM Modi will hold meetings with key Kuwaiti leaders, including Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, and the Kuwaiti Prime Minister.
Delegation-level talks will address trade, investment, energy cooperation, culture, and people-to-people ties. Discussions on a bilateral investment treaty and a defense cooperation pact are also on the agenda. A few key bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during the visit.
Indian diaspora engagement: PM Modi will interact with the Indian diaspora in Kuwait, the largest expatriate community in the Gulf nation. A grand cultural event, dubbed “Hala Modi,” is being organised, with community members expressing excitement over the visit.
Labour welfare emphasis: A visit to an Indian labor camp is also planned. This comes after over 45 Indians lost their lives in a devastating fire in Kuwait earlier this year.
Participation in the Arabian Gulf Cup: PM Modi will attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup football tournament as a special guest of the Kuwaiti Emir.
Boosting GCC relations: Kuwait, currently chairing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), plays a key role in India’s engagement with the GCC. India and the GCC are negotiating a free trade agreement to further enhance trade relations, which stood at $184.46 billion in 2022-23.

Historical context and trade relations

PM Modi’s visit is anticipated to consolidate partnerships in existing areas such as energy and trade, while also exploring new avenues for collaboration in defense and investment. “The visit will unveil new avenues for cooperation, reinforce shared values, and build a stronger partnership for the future,” remarked Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) in the MEA.
India and Kuwait share centuries-old ties, with maritime trade forming the backbone of their historical relationship. Indian exports to Kuwait have now reached USD 2 billion, and investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in India exceed USD 10 billion. Kuwait remains a vital energy partner, meeting 3% of India’s crude oil needs.
The Indian Rupee was once legal tender in Kuwait until 1961, symbolizing the enduring economic and cultural bond between the two nations. Diplomatic relations were formally established in the same year, further solidifying this partnership.