Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Kuwait, scheduled for December 21-22, is set to significantly enhance bilateral relations between India and Kuwait, according to India’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika.
This visit, which marks a milestone after a gap of 43 years, is especially significant as it is the only country in the Gulf region that PM Modi has not visited so far. Additionally, it represents the first high-level visit between the two nations in the past decade, with the last visit by a Kuwaiti prime minister to India occurring in 2013.
In a statement to ANI, Ambassador Swaika highlighted the importance of the visit. “This visit is very significant, particularly in the context of three important facts. First, it is taking place after 43 years, second, it is the only Gulf country Prime Minister Modi had not visited yet, and third, it marks the first high-level visit in over a decade,” he said.
During his visit, PM Modi is expected to meet Kuwait’s leadership and engage with the large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait. The visit is seen as having strong symbolic value, with Ambassador Swaika noting that the outcomes will be “concrete” and will take India-Kuwait relations to new heights.
The Indian expatriate community in Kuwait plays a key role in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. India is the largest source of expatriates in Kuwait, and the community contributes significantly to the Kuwaiti economy through remittances. In fact, last year, Indian expatriates sent back $6.3 billion in remittances.
Swaika further emphasized the strong economic ties between India and Kuwait. “India is one of Kuwait’s top trading partners. Kuwait is the sixth-largest source of India’s crude oil imports, and India also supplies essential food products to Kuwait to help meet its food security needs,” he said. Bilateral trade has also seen substantial growth, reaching $2 billion for the first time last year, with many “Make in India” products being exported.
Additionally, investments from Kuwaiti companies, including the sovereign wealth fund Kuwait Investment Authority, are growing in India. On the other hand, Indian companies are actively involved in executing large-scale infrastructure projects in Kuwait, in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035, a long-term development plan aimed at diversifying its economy.
Ambassador Swaika also said the increasing frequency of high-level diplomatic exchanges between the two nations in recent months. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Kuwait in August, while Kuwait’s Foreign Minister visited India in December. Moreover, PM Modi met Kuwait’s Crown Prince in New York in September, further cementing the strong diplomatic ties.
In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “India and Kuwait have long enjoyed close and friendly relations, built on a shared history and strengthened by robust economic ties and strong people-to-people connections. India is one of Kuwait’s key trading partners, and the Indian community represents the largest expatriate group in the country. This visit offers a valuable opportunity to further enhance the diverse and dynamic relationship between the two nations.”
(With ANI inputs)
