Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday for a two-day official visit, where he will engage in bilateral talks with the Gulf nation’s leadership and meet the Indian diaspora. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah extended the invitation to PM Modi, marking a historic visit as the last Indian prime minister to visit the country was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
A key focus of Modi‘s trip will be strengthening defence and security cooperation, with discussions also underway for a bilateral investment treaty and a defence cooperation agreement. Arun Kumar Chatterjee, secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) at the Ministry of External Affairs, hinted that some agreements could be finalised during the visit. He noted that the trip aims to bolster ties between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), currently chaired by Kuwait.
Before departing, PM Modi described his upcoming meetings with Kuwaiti leaders as an opportunity to chart a “futuristic partnership” for the benefit of both nations and the region. He emphasized the strong historical ties between the two countries, highlighting their collaboration on trade, energy, and shared interests in peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
India and Kuwait share a vibrant trade relationship, with bilateral trade reaching $10.47 billion in 2023-24. The Gulf nation is also a major supplier of crude oil to India, accounting for 3 percent of the country’s energy needs. India is one of Kuwait’s top trading partners, while the South Asian nation has a substantial presence in the Gulf, with 30 percent of Kuwait’s workforce being Indian.
