Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, officially visited the State of Kuwait on 18 August 2024. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister (FM), H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, received Dr. Jaishankar at the airport and warmly welcomed him. The EAM met several dignitaries from Kuwait. They reviewed the bilateral relations between India and Kuwait. They also discussed ways to strengthen them across various sectors, like political, investment, energy, security, trade, cultural, consular, and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged perspectives on international and regional issues of mutual interest. The EAM also met prominent members of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait.
Dr. Jaishankar met with His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. The EAM conveyed warm regards of the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Indian President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, to the Crown Prince. He thanked the Prince for his guidance, which has helped strengthen India-Kuwait ties. The EAM remarked that both countries have gradually expanded historical bonds of goodwill and friendship.
The EAM also called on the Prime Minister of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Dr. Jaishankar appreciated Sheikh Ahmed’s perspectives on deepening the bilateral relations between the two countries. The EAM also noted the value of Sheikh Ahmed’s views on furthering economic cooperation.
The EAM had productive discussions with the FM H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, on a gamut of topics related to bilateral ties. According to Dr. Jaishankar, during the meeting, the ministers “Took stock of our broad-based partnership covering political, trade, investment, health, education, people-to-people and connectivity. And exchanged views on the geopolitical developments in the region.” Furthermore, they discussed the potential of high-level visits at various levels to deepen bilateral relations. They agreed that sectors like pharma, technology, and education had untapped potential to enhance collaboration. Both urged the necessity of streamlining manpower and labour issues. The EAM expressed his confidence in the longstanding relations between both countries, which will only be strengthened in the future.
Dr. Jaishankar interacted with prominent members of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait. Among them were members of multiple community and professional associations. The EAM appreciated their commendable achievements and contribution to the socio-cultural economy of Kuwait and thanked them for being a living bridge between the two cultures.
Dr. Jaishankar’s visit is crucial to India-Kuwait relations. It allowed both nations to review the status of their bilateral ties. Before this, the EAM visited Kuwait in 2021 when he met Kuwait’s PM and delivered a letter from PM Narendra Modi to the Amir of Kuwait. Even otherwise, India and Kuwait share friendly ties rooted in trade history. Till 1961, the Indian rupee was legal tender in Kuwait. Both nations also have a rich maritime trade history, and Kuwait exported Arabian horses, dates, and pearls in exchange for wood, clothes, cereals, and spices.
