PRIME Minister Narendra Modi’s Kuwait visit is a diplomatic landmark in the Gulf region, which New Delhi considers as part of its extended neighbourhood. Significantly, he is the first Indian PM to visit the Gulf nation in over 43 years. The visit underscored India’ commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations, engaging with the Indian diaspora, and fostering strategic partnerships with the Gulf region’s leadership, including the Emir and Crown Prince of Kuwait. It reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
India is among the top trading partners of Kuwait. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. PM Modi’s visit followed Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya’s visit to India earlier this month. During this visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Kuwaiti counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on establishing a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), which will act as an umbrella institutional mechanism to comprehensively review and monitor the entire gamut of our bilateral relations under the new joint working groups and the existing ones, in areas including hydrocarbons, health and consular matters.
PM Modi’s weekend sojourn in Kuwait closed the last gap in India’s expanded diplomatic engagement with the Gulf region that is so vital to the country’s security and prosperity. Coming after the fall of the Assad dynasty in Damascus, whose consequences could involve a radical restructuring of the regional order in the Middle East, the timing is significant. PM Modi had made diplomatic visits to every Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country except Kuwait. His 2022 visit to Kuwait was postponed due to Covid-19, marking a rare gap in his regional outreach.
India and Kuwait maintain robust bilateral relations, marked by cooperation in various sectors such as economic and technical collaboration, hydrocarbons, medical, and manpower. Trade remains a significant aspect, with India being a top trading partner and Kuwait a key oil supplier. The two nations have signed numerous bilateral agreements covering areas like investment protection, legal assistance, and scientific cooperation. Cultural exchanges also play a vital role, with events like the ‘Festival of India’ and various cultural programmes strengthening ties.
Kuwait holds significant strategic importance due to its vast oil reserves, being the sixth-largest globally and a founding member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), as well as its role as the third-largest producer and fifthlargest exporter of crude oil within the bloc. Its strategic position on the Persian Gulf and proximity to Iraq enhances its geopolitical influence in West Asia. The country is a key US ally, hosting a substantial American military presence, crucial for regional security and counterterrorism efforts. Despite shifts in global energy dynamics, Kuwait’s importance remains anchored in its energy resources and its role in maintaining regional stability.
Kuwait is not only a significant partner in energy cooperation but also hosts a large Indian expatriate community, which forms the backbone of the country’s workforce. A visit by Prime Minister Modi reinforced India’s commitment to enhancing economic, political, and cultural ties with Kuwait, while also addressing contemporary issues such as energy security, regional stability, and the welfare of Indian nationals abroad. This visit has paved the way for further collaboration in areas like defence, trade, and technology, solidifying the partnership between the two countries.
