First historic visit in 43 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuwait on 21-22 December 2024. The visit, being held at the invitation of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mashal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, is being considered as the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years. This visit will be an important step in further deepening the bilateral relations between India and Kuwait.

Main objectives of the trip

The objective of this visit of Prime Minister Modi is to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Kuwait. The visit will focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as energy, trade, labor and migrant welfare. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Prime Minister will discuss a number of important issues with the leadership of Kuwait, including:

1. Trade and Investment:
   • Bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to reach $10.47 billion in 2023-24.
   • Indian exports have registered a growth of 34.7%, reaching $2.1 billion in 2023-24.
2. energy sector:
   • Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude oil supplier, meeting 3% of India’s energy needs.
   • Further strengthening energy related cooperation will be a major objective of this visit.
3. Welfare of NRIs:
   • The Indian community in Kuwait, numbering around 10 lakh, is the largest expatriate group in the country.
   • Issues related to migrant welfare will also be discussed.

History of Kuwait-India relations

• 1981: The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Kuwait.
• 2009: The then Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Kuwait.
• 2013: Prime Minister of Kuwait visited India.
• 2023: Prime Minister Modi and the Crown Prince of Kuwait met in the United Nations General Assembly.

Kuwait has been a historical partner of India. The Indian rupee was legal tender in Kuwait until 1961, reflecting the deep economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

importance of indian community

The Indian expatriate in Kuwait is not only contributing to the economic sector but also serving as a cultural bridge between the two countries.

• The contribution of Indians is very important in various sectors of Kuwait, such as health, education, and construction industry.
• During this visit, Prime Minister Modi will interact with the Indian community and focus on solving their problems.

Kuwait’s investment in India

Kuwait’s investment authorization in India is more than $10 billion. This further strengthens the economic relations between the two countries. There is also a possibility of discussion on new partnerships during this visit.

What are the expectations?

This visit of Prime Minister Modi can bring agreements and partnerships on many important issues:

1. Expansion of business opportunities.
2. Cooperation in energy security.
3. Policy reforms for migrant welfare.
4. Promotion of education and cultural exchange.