PM Modi’s Landmark Visit to Kuwait: Strengthening India-Kuwait Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Kuwait included meetings with the Indian community, Kuwaiti leaders, and significant figures such as translators of the Ramayana and Mahabharata in Arabic. He highlighted the strong trade relationship, with India being a primary trading partner of Kuwait. The visit marks the first by an Indian PM in 43 years, reinforcing historical ties and future collaborations between the two nations.

On a significant two-day visit to Kuwait, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by the Indian community and engaged in discussions with Kuwaiti leadership. During this visit, he met with Abdulla Al Baroun and Abdul Lateef Al Nesef, who have translated and published the Arabic versions of revered Indian texts, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In a touching moment, PM Modi also met with Mangal Sain Handa, a retired Indian Foreign Service officer, who expressed his wish to meet the Prime Minister via social media.

Prime Minister Modi stated that his meeting marked the first visit from an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years, emphasizing his intention to solidify the bond between India and Kuwait across multiple sectors. He expressed anticipation for the scheduled engagements, highlighting the importance of historical ties that have evolved over generations. The discussions with Kuwaiti leadership are expected to carve a pathway for future cooperation in trade, energy, and shared regional stability.

Furthermore, PM Modi conveyed that India is amongst the leading trading partners of Kuwait, with the Indian community constituting 21% of Kuwait’s population, i.e., approximately one million individuals. Notably, Indian workers dominate both the private and domestic sectors in the country, as recognized by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. With the bilateral trade between India and Kuwait reaching approximately $10.47 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, Kuwait has also emerged as India’s sixth-largest supplier of crude oil, fulfilling three percent of India’s energy requirements.

The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kuwait is significant as it underscores a strengthening relationship between the two nations. Historically, India and Kuwait have shared strong bonds which date back to maritime trade before the oil boom. Currently, India serves as one of Kuwait’s top trading allies, particularly in sectors like energy and labor. The vibrant Indian expatriate community contributes substantially to Kuwait’s demographic and economic landscape, making this visit pivotal in furthering diplomatic and economic ties between the countries.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kuwait marks a historic milestone and presents a unique opportunity to strengthen the existing ties between India and Kuwait. With discussions tailored towards future collaborations in various sectors, this visit not only highlights the extensive cultural connections but also paves the way for enhanced bilateral trade and strategic partnerships. The presence of a significant Indian community in Kuwait further solidifies India’s role as a crucial partner in Kuwait’s ongoing development.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com