External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya formalized a significant step in bilateral relations by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the level of foreign ministers.
Highlights of the MoU
- Formation of Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC):
- The JCC will serve as an umbrella mechanism to comprehensively review and enhance bilateral ties.
- It will monitor and oversee both new and existing Joint Working Groups across diverse sectors.
- New Joint Working Groups:
- These groups will focus on trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture.
- Existing groups on hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters will also operate under the JCC’s oversight.
- Purpose of the JCC:
- To provide a structured framework for fostering collaboration in priority areas.
- To strengthen the historical and multifaceted ties between India and Kuwait.
High-Level Engagements
- Abdullah Ali Al Yahya’s visit marks his first official trip to India as Kuwait’s foreign minister.
- He met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized advancing the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations. PM Modi commended Kuwait’s leadership for safeguarding the welfare of Indian nationals in Kuwait.
- The foreign ministers held a comprehensive meeting covering political, economic, energy, food security, and people-to-people ties.
Key Statements
- PM Modi on X:“Glad to receive Foreign Minister of Kuwait H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. I thank the Kuwaiti leadership for the welfare of the Indian nationals. India is committed to advancing our deep-rooted and historical ties for the benefit of our people and the region.”
- EAM Jaishankar:“Our two countries enjoy a long-standing friendship, and in our case, centuries old. We are committed to strengthening our bilateral ties across various domains, including trade, investment, energy, IT, culture, and consular.”
- Kuwait Foreign Minister:“India is a very important partner, and I look forward to upgrading our bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership. PM Modi is one of the wisest people worldwide, and under his leadership, India has reached a better level.”
Significance of the Visit
This agreement represents a strategic pivot towards enhancing cooperation between India and Kuwait in areas of mutual interest. Kuwait hosts a significant Indian diaspora and has been a key partner in the Gulf region, particularly in energy and trade.
By institutionalizing the JCC, both nations are poised to leverage their historical ties for modern challenges, from food security to technological collaboration, ensuring mutual growth and regional stability.