Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuwait on December 21-22, 2024, marking a historic occasion as the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years.
The last such visit was in 1981 by Indira Gandhi. While Mr. Modi had originally planned to visit Kuwait in early 2022, the trip was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This visit is not just important for strengthening India’s ties with Kuwait but also holds broader significance for enhancing India’s presence in the Gulf region, which is currently navigating through turbulent times marked by conflicts and transitions.
Despite being a relatively small country, Kuwait is strategically significant. Its location at the northeastern tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia, gives it a key position in regional geopolitics.
The country also hosts critical U.S. military bases and has earned a reputation for maintaining neutrality in regional conflicts, often acting as a mediator. Economically, Kuwait is a powerhouse.
It boasts the sixth-largest oil reserves globally and is a founding member of OPEC. Additionally, Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund, valued at $924 billion as of 2024, is one of the largest in the world, making it a major player in global finance.
India and Kuwait share a warm and historic relationship. India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Kuwait following its independence in 1961, and the Indian rupee was even used as currency in Kuwait until that year. Trade has always been a cornerstone of this partnership.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, bilateral trade reached $10.47 billion, with Kuwait supplying around 3% of India’s crude oil needs. Beyond trade, the connection between the people of the two nations is particularly strong.
Over one million Indians live in Kuwait, making them the largest expatriate group in the country. They are highly regarded for their contributions to Kuwaiti society.
Cultural and educational exchanges further cement this bond. Kuwait is home to 26 Indian schools, educating over 60,000 students following the Indian CBSE curriculum.
Initiatives like the 2023 ‘Festival of India’ in Kuwait and the launch of the Hindi radio program ‘Namaste Kuwait’ in 2024 highlight the vibrant cultural exchange between the two nations.
Both countries have also supported each other during tough times. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India sent vaccines to Kuwait, while Kuwait provided essential medical supplies to India.
More recently, when a tragic fire in Kuwait took the lives of 40 Indians in June 2024, the Kuwaiti government acted promptly to repatriate the victims’ remains.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit offers an excellent chance to take India-Kuwait relations to the next level.
While their friendship is already strong, there’s immense potential for deeper collaboration. A strategic partnership agreement could help formalize and expand this relationship.
Defense cooperation is another area of opportunity, along with energy security initiatives like Kuwait’s involvement in India’s strategic oil reserves.
Kuwait’s Vision 2035 plan, which focuses on infrastructure development and economic diversification, is another avenue for collaboration, where India can bring its expertise.
Establishing institutions like IITs, IIMs, and modern hospitals in Kuwait could further strengthen ties between the two countries.
There’s also room to work together in space exploration and aviation. India could assist Kuwait with satellite launches, while increasing airline connectivity between the two nations would benefit their citizens.
Despite their deep trust and goodwill, India and Kuwait’s relationship hasn’t yet reached its full potential.
This visit is expected to serve as a turning point, creating new opportunities for cooperation in trade, education, defense, and culture.
It’s hoped that this historic trip will open the door to a stronger, more dynamic partnership that benefits both nations.
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