India and Kuwait elevated their bilateral relationship to the strategic partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day (December 21-22) visit to Kuwait, marked a new chapter in the bilateral relationship of the two countries. 

It was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years. Yet what was highly significant was the two countries’ decision to elevate their relationship to the strategic partnership.

Notably, India ranks among Kuwait's top trading partners with bilateral trade between the two countries at more than $ 10 billion during the year 2023-24. Kuwait also remains a reliable energy partner for India, both in terms of supply of crude oil and LPG. There are investments also from Kuwait in India.

The Indian community which is numbering around 1 million is the largest expatriate group in Kuwait and contributes significantly towards the continued growth of Kuwait across various sectors, serving as a living bridge between our two nations.

Cultural and educational ties also remain vibrant between our two countries. Kuwait is thus one of India's key partners in the Gulf region today.

Kuwait’s highest national award to PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Kuwait at the invitation of Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Sunday received the highest national award of the Gulf country, ‘The Order of Mubarak Al- Kabeer.’ This was the 20th international honour given to PM Modi by a country.

Prime Minister Modi dedicated the award to the long-standing friendship between India and Kuwait, to the Indian community in Kuwait and to the 1.4 billion people of India.

The conferment of the award on this historic visit of a Prime Minister of India to Kuwait after 43 years added a special meaning to the occasion.

The award was instituted in 1974 and has since been conferred on select global leaders, including US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush and England’s Prince Charles.

Meeting with Amir of Kuwait
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi met the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It was the first meeting between the two leaders. On arrival at the Bayan Palace, he was given a ceremonial welcome and received by Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait.

The two leaders recalled the strong historical and friendly ties between the two countries and re-affirmed their full commitment to further expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation. In this context, they agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.

Prime Minister Modi thanked the Amir of Kuwait for ensuring the well-being of the over one million strong Indian community in the country. The Amir expressed appreciation for the contribution of the large and vibrant Indian community in Kuwait’s development.

Prime Minister Modi appreciated the new initiatives being undertaken by Kuwait to fulfil its Vision 2035 and congratulated the Amir for successfully holding the GCC Summit earlier this month.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed his gratitude for inviting him yesterday as a ‘Guest of Honour’ at the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup.

The Amir reciprocated Prime Minister Modi’s sentiments and expressed appreciation for India's role as a valued partner in Kuwait and the Gulf region. The Amir of Kuwait looked forward to the greater role and contribution of India towards realisation of Kuwait Vision 2035.

The ⁠Prime Minister invited the Amir of Kuwait to visit India.

Meeting with Crown Prince
Prime Minister Modi also met Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait. Prime Minister Modi fondly recalled his recent meeting with the Crown Prince on the margins of the UNGA session in September 2024.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed that India attaches utmost importance to its bilateral relations with Kuwait. The leaders acknowledged that bilateral relations were progressing well and welcomed their elevation to a Strategic Partnership.

They emphasized close coordination between both sides in the UN and other multilateral fora. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that India-GCC relations will be further strengthened under the Presidency of Kuwait.

⁠Prime Minister Modi invited the Crown Prince of Kuwait to visit India at a mutually convenient date. The Crown Prince of Kuwait also hosted a banquet in honour of the Indian Prime Minister.

Meeting with Kuwait Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held talks with Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and discussed a roadmap to strengthen strategic partnership in areas including political, trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, cultural, and people-to-people ties.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both prime ministers emphasized on deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi invited a delegation comprising the Kuwaiti Investment Authority and other stakeholders to visit India to look at new opportunities in the fields of energy, defence, medical devices, pharma, food parks, among others.

The two leaders also discussed cooperation in traditional medicine and agricultural research. They welcomed the recent signing of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) under which new Joint Working Groups in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture have been set up in addition to the existing JWGs on health, manpower and hydrocarbons.

The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of bilateral agreements and MoUs after the talks.

These included an MoU on Defence Cooperation, a Cultural Exchange Programme, an Executive Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports and the Framework Agreement on Kuwait joining the International Solar Alliance.

Prime Minister Modi invited the Prime Minister of Kuwait to visit India.

Significantly, India and Kuwait share an age-old bond characterized by historical ties, robust economic exchanges, and vibrant cultural connections