In a landmark moment for India-Kuwait relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his historic two-day visit to Kuwait on December 22, 2024. This visit marked the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years and resulted in significant milestones, including the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and the signing of a pivotal defence cooperation pact.
Strategic Partnership and Defence Pact: Key Takeaways
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kuwait was instrumental in elevating India-Kuwait relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership. According to a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, this partnership will expand ties to encompass “comprehensive and structured cooperation” across a range of sectors, including trade, investment, defence, security, energy, culture, education, technology, and people-to-people connections.
The defence cooperation agreement is another major achievement of the visit, placing Kuwait on par with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations in terms of defence engagement with India. The agreement will institutionalize collaboration in key areas such as joint military training, the exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industries, and research and development. This pact comes against the backdrop of increasing security concerns in the Persian Gulf, particularly threats to international shipping due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. India’s Defence Ministry noted that this enhanced defence engagement with Kuwait is critical for securing vital sea lanes in the region, including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea, which are among the busiest maritime routes in the world.
Significance of Kuwait Visit in the Gulf Context
Since assuming office in 2014, PM Modi has visited all member nations of the GCC except Kuwait. His trip to Kuwait completes this circle, underscoring the importance of fostering ties with all Gulf nations, not just prominent players like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The GCC is India’s largest trading partner, accounting for 15.8% of India’s total trade in 2022–23. Bilateral trade with Kuwait alone was valued at $10.47 billion in 2023–24, with the Gulf nation serving as India’s sixth-largest crude oil supplier, meeting 3% of India’s energy needs.
Kuwait is also home to approximately one million Indians, constituting 30% of its workforce, making Indians the largest expatriate community in the country. This expatriate population contributes significantly to India’s foreign remittance inflows, providing vital economic support to millions of families back home.
A Shared Vision Amid Regional Challenges
PM Modi’s visit comes at a time of significant geopolitical and economic flux in West Asia. The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has heightened tensions across the region, while the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) faces challenges due to the volatile situation. Despite these challenges, India has expressed optimism about the corridor, which is expected to strengthen connectivity and trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The visit also reflects India’s broader strategy of deepening ties with all GCC nations as part of its vision of the Indo-Pacific. This strategy includes securing vital sea lanes, ensuring energy security, and fostering robust economic and defence partnerships with Gulf nations.
Diplomatic Warmth and Historic Gestures
In a rare and heartfelt gesture, Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah personally saw off PM Modi at the airport as he departed for India. This gesture of respect and goodwill highlighted the growing warmth between the two nations. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti government and its people for their hospitality, stating: “Thank you Kuwait! This visit was historic and will greatly enhance our bilateral relations. I thank the Government and people of Kuwait for their warmth. I also thank the PM of Kuwait for the special gesture of coming to the airport for the see-off.”
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Kuwait signals a new era of collaboration and partnership between India and the Gulf nation. By elevating ties to a Strategic Partnership and signing a defence cooperation pact, the visit has laid the foundation for enhanced cooperation across multiple domains. In a region marked by both opportunities and challenges, India’s proactive diplomacy in West Asia underscores its commitment to fostering peace, security, and economic growth for mutual benefit. As West Asia continues to undergo significant transformations, India’s engagement with countries like Kuwait will play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future and securing India’s strategic and economic interests.
