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PM Modi will review with the leadership of Kuwait the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including areas such as politics, trade, investment, energy, culture, and people-to-people ties, and the steps that both sides need to take to further enhance them during the two-day visit from…Read More
The Hala Modi event will be held at Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Stadium in Kuwait. Image/News18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Kuwait from Saturday in what will be the first trip to the Gulf nation by an Indian prime minister in 43 years. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said the visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the “multifaceted” ties between India and Kuwait. The stage is also set for the Hala Modi mega diaspora event, with around 5,000 people expected to participate.
PM Modi is paying the visit at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the ministry said.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, secretary of the ministry of external affairs, stressed the strong bilateral ties, hailing “excellent political relations” between the two countries. PM Modi would receive a ceremonial guard of honour at the Bayan Palace, followed by meetings with Kuwait’s leadership, he said.
During discussions, PM Modi will review with the leadership of Kuwait the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including areas such as politics, trade, investment, energy, culture, and people-to-people ties, and the steps that both sides need to take to further enhance them, said Chatterjee. The Crown Prince will be hosting a banquet in honour of the Prime Minister, he added.
The visit, he said, will not only consolidate the partnership in existing spheres but also unveil new avenues for future cooperation, reinforce shared values and build a stronger and more dynamic partnership for the future. It is also expected to boost the ties between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council, he added.
Highlighting PM Modi’s visit to a labour camp in Kuwait, Chatterjee stated, “The government of India attaches considerable importance to the welfare of all workers which are abroad. We have a community of around one million in Kuwait…The idea of the visit to the labour camp is to express the amount of importance the government of India attaches to our workers who are working in a foreign country.”
As far as the Kafala system is concerned, there is a mechanism called consular dialogue, he said. “We have a mechanism for labour and manpower dialogue. Under this, all concerns are flagged. The Kuwaiti side does try to address all difficulties,” Chatterjee added.
The Kafala system is a set of laws and policies that delegate responsibility for migrant workers to employers, including control over their ability to enter, reside, work, and, in some cases, exit the host country.
Binoy Sebastian, part of the organising committee for the Hala Modi event, also spoke to CNN-News18 from the venue, Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Stadium in Kuwait.
“We are very excited because the last visit happened when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. This visit is important as Kuwait is a chair of the GCC,” he said. “We had to take leaves from offices for the preparations…We are excited to meet Modi ji. This event will witness a lot of cultural events also. PM Modi holds a special place in our hearts.”
India and Kuwait share a historic and dynamic relationship that spans decades, rooted in shared history, robust trade, vibrant cultural connections, and mutual support during challenging times. This year marks a historic milestone, as the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years underscores the growing significance of this partnership.
Historical ties
India and Kuwait have enjoyed traditionally friendly relations, with links dating back to pre-oil Kuwait when maritime trade with India was the backbone of its economy.
Kuwait’s economy revolved around its fine harbour and maritime activities, which included shipbuilding, pearl diving, fishing, and voyages to India on wooden dhows carrying dates, Arabian horses, and pearls that were traded for wood, cereals, clothes, and spices.
The Indian rupee remained legal tender in Kuwait until 1961, a symbol of the enduring economic and cultural ties.
Political relations
Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1961, with India initially represented by a trade commissioner. Over the years, there have been several high-level visits between the two nations, including those of Indian leaders such as Vice President Dr Zakir Husain (1965), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1981) and Vice President Hamid Ansari (2009). The VVIP visits from Kuwait to India were of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah (1964), Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (1980) and again in 1983 (for the NAM Summit), Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2006), and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (2013). Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabar Al Sabah came to India on a private visit in July 2017. The last high-level visit from either side was that of the Prime Minister of Kuwait to India in 2013.
Recent high-level meetings include PM Modi and Kuwait’s Crown Prince on the sidelines of UNGA in September 2024. In 2024, the foreign ministerial visits from India to Kuwait include that of Dr S Jaishankar on August 18, 2024. Similarly, the foreign ministerial visits from Kuwait to India include those of Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, minister of foreign affairs, on December 3-4, 2024. He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during this visit and extended the Kuwaiti leadership’s invitation to visit there. Both FMs also met on the sidelines of the 1st India-GCC Strategic Dialogue Committee meeting in Riyadh on September 9, 2024.
Bilateral mechanisms
India and Kuwait have institutionalised their cooperation through mechanisms such as the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), which was established during the visit of the Kuwaiti foreign minister to India in December 2024, which is headed at the foreign minister level. Seven new Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been established in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture. These complement the three existing JWGs in hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters, bringing the total number of JWGs to 10 following the signing of the JCC.
Six rounds of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) have been held, with the latest taking place in July 2024. Additionally, 26 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed under this framework.
Economic relations
Kuwait is among India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at USD 10.47 billion in FY 2023-24.
Kuwait is India’s 6th largest crude supplier, meeting 3% of the country’s energy needs.
Indian exports to Kuwait reached USD 2 billion for the first time, while investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in India exceed USD 10 billion.
Cultural and educational ties
Cultural connections thrive, with Indian music, films, and cuisine being widely popular in Kuwait. Events such as the Festival of India in Kuwait held in March 2023 and the launch of a weekly Hindi radio programme on Kuwait’s national radio in April 2024 highlight the cultural synergy.
Education is another vital area, with 26 CBSE-affiliated schools serving over 60,000 students, predominantly Indians, and the establishment of a Hindi Chair at the Gulf University for Science and Technology in September 2024 signifies the strengthening of the cultural connect between India and Kuwait.
Community and manpower cooperation
Indians form the largest expatriate community in Kuwait, around 1 million, which is present across various sectors, contributing immensely and serving as a “living bridge” between the two countries.
The mobility in the manpower sector is facilitated by bilateral agreements like the MoU on the recruitment of domestic workers (2021).
Over 200 Indian associations actively organise socio-cultural and humanitarian initiatives, further strengthening the bonds between the two nations.
Cooperation during crises
During the Covid-19 pandemic, India and Kuwait stood by each other.
India sent medical teams to Kuwait, while Kuwait supplied over 425 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen and 12,500 oxygen cylinders to India during its second wave.
Energy and science cooperation
Kuwait remains a reliable energy partner, ranking as India’s sixth-largest supplier of crude oil and fourth-largest of LPG. Regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on Hydrocarbons ensure a stable and forward-looking energy partnership. Scientific collaboration includes agreements with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and Indian agricultural research institutions, Department of Science and Technology, etc.
This visit marks a new chapter in the India-Kuwait partnership and promises to unlock new opportunities for both nations.
