Sat Dec 21 17:42:27 UTC 2024: ## Modi’s Historic Kuwait Visit Aims to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
**Kuwait City, Kuwait –** In a landmark visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday for a two-day trip, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. The visit, at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, aims to significantly strengthen the already strong India-Kuwait relationship across various sectors.
PM Modi’s itinerary includes high-level talks with Kuwaiti leadership, focusing on charting a course for a future-oriented partnership. He will also engage with the large Indian diaspora, which constitutes 21% of Kuwait’s population and 30% of its workforce, making it the largest expatriate community in the country. The Prime Minister has already addressed a large gathering of the Indian community at a special event, emphasizing the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations.
The visit underscores the significant economic partnership between India and Kuwait. Bilateral trade reached USD 10.47 billion in 2023-24, with Kuwait being India’s sixth-largest crude oil supplier, fulfilling 3% of India’s energy needs. Indian exports to Kuwait also hit a record high of USD 2 billion. Further strengthening the bond, investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in India exceed USD 10 billion.
Beyond economic collaborations, PM Modi’s visit is expected to reaffirm shared interests in regional peace, security, and stability. He is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup. The Prime Minister’s interactions with prominent figures like Abdullateef Alnesef and Abdullah Baron, who translated the Ramayana and Mahabharata into Arabic, further highlight the cultural exchange between the two nations.
The visit is anticipated to set a new stage for cooperation between India and Kuwait, building on a history of friendly relations that extend back centuries.
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