Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Committed to fostering longstanding, historic and close relations with all Gulf countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Kuwait starting on January 21 the first by an Indian PM to the key West Asian country in 43 years.
“India and Kuwait share traditionally close and friendly relations which are rooted in history and have been underpinned by economic and strong people to people linkages. India is among the top trading partners of Kuwait. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted ties between India and Kuwait,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said ahead of PM Modi’s historic visit.
During the visit, the PM Modi will hold discussions with the leadership of Kuwait – including Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait – and is also scheduled to interact with the large Indian community in the country.
PM Modi will be accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Bayan Palace, following which he will hold separate one-on-one meetings with the Emir and the Crown Prince of Kuwait. It will be followed by delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister of Kuwait during which both sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including areas such as politics, trade, investment, energy, culture, people-to-people ties, and the steps needed to further enhance them.
“India and Kuwait share an age-old bond characterized by historical ties, robust economic exchanges, and vibrant cultural connections,” MEA Secretary (CPV & OIA) Arun Kumar Chatterjee told reporters .
Ahead of the landmark visit, the MEA spotlighted that there has been a major transformation in India’s ties with the Gulf region and the PM has given “special emphasis” to strengthen and deepen relations with the Gulf countries.
Kuwait currently holds the current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – also comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar – and the only GCC member country that PM Modi has not visited so far since assuming office in 2014. A proposed visit in 2022 was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
