Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Kuwait on December 21-22 is poised to strengthen India-Kuwait ties, marking a historic moment in bilateral relations. The visit comes after a 43-year gap since the last Indian Prime Ministerial visit to Kuwait and is the first high-level interaction between the two nations in over a decade.
India’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, highlighted the significance of the visit, noting, “This visit is special for several reasons. It is the first visit by Prime Minister Modi to Kuwait, the first high-level engagement in a decade, and carries immense symbolic value. We anticipate concrete outcomes that will elevate our ties to new heights.”
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
During his visit, PM Modi is scheduled to meet Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and other key leaders. He will also interact with the Indian expatriate community, which forms the largest foreign population in Kuwait and plays a pivotal role in bilateral relations.
India and Kuwait share historically close ties rooted in economic and people-to-people linkages. Kuwait is India’s sixth-largest source of crude oil imports, while India is one of Kuwait’s top trading partners. Bilateral trade hit USD 2 billion last year, with “Make in India” products becoming increasingly visible in the Kuwaiti market.
Swaika emphasized the importance of the Indian expatriate community, stating, “The Indian community not only contributes significantly to Kuwait’s economy but also sends back substantial remittances, amounting to USD 6.3 billion last year.”
Economic Synergies and Vision 2035
The visit aligns with Kuwait’s Vision 2035, which focuses on economic diversification and infrastructure development. Indian companies are actively participating in large-scale infrastructure projects in Kuwait. Additionally, the Kuwait Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund, has been investing in India, reflecting the growing economic interdependence between the two nations.
Swaika remarked, “There are significant synergies between our economic goals. Mutual investments and collaboration in infrastructure projects exemplify the alignment of our interests.”
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
The visit follows a series of high-level exchanges, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Kuwait in August and Kuwait’s Foreign Minister’s visit to India in December. Prime Minister Modi also met the Crown Prince of Kuwait in New York in September, signaling a robust political understanding between the two countries.
Future Prospects
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted in a statement, “India and Kuwait share traditionally close and friendly relations underpinned by strong economic and people-to-people linkages. The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen multifaceted ties.”
PM Modi’s visit is expected to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, and infrastructure, and enhance the enduring bond between the two nations.