Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a historic two-day visit to Kuwait on December 21-22, 2024, at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait.
This visit will mark the first time in 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister will visit Kuwait.
odi will hold discussions with Kuwait's leadership and engage with the Indian community, one of the largest expatriate groups in the region.
The upcoming visit will focus on enhancing the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
Last high level visit was by Vice President Hamid Andari in 2009. And prior to that way back in 1981, Indira Gandhi had visited Kuwait. It is argued in many quarters that India's relationship was Kuwait was actually a 'casualty' from India's Iraq policy in 1990. It may be worth mentioning that Modi's visit comes within days of the unprecedented development in Syria -- where the Assad family has lost power.
Old timers recall that in 1990 -- so much internal turmoil India faced over Aodhya and Mandal Commission report implementation when Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait in August 1990; New Delhi did not 'unambiguously' condemned Saddam.
But things have changed and there has been an altgether a different approach since 2014 when Modi became PM and he has got the assistance of two of his foreign ministers Late Sushma Swaraj (between 2014 and 2019) and Dr S Jaishankar since then.
"What we have seen in the last decade is the qualitative transformation in ties between India and the Gulf monarchies," says expert C Raja Mohan. It is true the Modi years has seen a definitive change. Modi himself gave a push for enhanced interaction with the Gulf countries.
In 2019; Sushma Swaraj scripted history as she addressed the 46th session of Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). She was the first Indian foreign minister to do so !!
Since 2014, Modi visited UAE seven times and two times each to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Hence observers say this visit will "close the last gap" .... in India's extended diplomatic engagement with the Gulf.
Important facets:
* Kuwait supplies India with a substantial portion of its energy needs. Kuwait is the sixth-largest supplier of crude oil to India, contributing around 3% of India’s total oil consumption.
** Kuwait has become India’s top trading partner. The bilateral trade reached USD 10.47 billion in 2023-24, with Indian exports to Kuwait surpassing USD 2 billion for the first time.
Machinery, chemicals, and textiles are exported from India to Kuwait but Kuwait’s primary exports to India has been petroleum products.
The Indian community serves as a “living bridge” between the two countries, fostering cultural, social, and economic exchanges.
The Indian expatriate community in Kuwait is the largest foreign community, numbering over one million individuals. Indians in Kuwait contribute significantly to the country’s economy, particularly in sectors like construction, healthcare, and hospitality.
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