India – Kuwait Relationship Raised to Strategic Partnership Level, Modi Conferred Kuwait’s Highest Civilian Award
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Yielding fruitful results during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s current two-day visit to Kuwait, India and Kuwait on Sunday elevated their relationship to “strategic partnership” level after Mr Modi held extensive talks with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
In their discussions, the two leaders focused on boosting ties in areas of information technology, pharmaceuticals, fintech, infrastructure and security. In a post on ‘X’, Mr Modi described his meeting with the Emir as “excellent.”
The Kuwait government on Sunday also bestowed its highest civilian honour “The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer” to Mr Modi. This is the 20th international honour given to Mr Modi by a country. The ‘Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ is a knighthood order of Kuwait and is awarded to Heads of State and foreign sovereigns and to members of foreign royal families in sign of friendship.
Among the previous recipients of this award were two former US presidents Bill Clinton and George and the Prince Charles from the British royal family. Kuwait’s state-run news agency KUNA reported that the award was given to him for strengthening ties between the two nations.
“Excellent meeting with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. We discussed cooperation in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, FinTech, Infrastructure and security,” he said. “In line with the close ties between our nations, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic one and I am optimistic that our friendship will flourish even more in the times to come,” he added.
Mr Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday on a two-day trip, the first to this Gulf nation by an Indian prime minister in 43 years. The Prime Minister has also met Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the talks between the prime minister and the Emir focused on exploring ways to take India-Kuwait ties to “new heights.”
Mr Modi expressed his gratitude to the Emir for the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait, he said. On Saturday, Mr Modi addressed an Indian community event and visited an Indian labour camp. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
The Gulf nation is among India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at USD 10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24. Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude supplier, meeting 3 per cent of the country’s energy needs. Indian exports to Kuwait reached $2 billion for the first time, while investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in India exceeded $10 billion.
Mr Modi was given a ceremonial guard of honour at the Bayan Palace, Kuwait. The Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, was present during the ceremony. The Indian community in Kuwait expressed a wave of excitement and enthusiasm ahead of Mr Modi’s address at the community event ‘Hala Modi’ at Shaikh Saad Al Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex. On Saturday, he visited the Gulf Spic employees’ camp in Kuwait, where he spoke to Indian workers and highlighted their contribution to the country’s development.
