PM's Kuwait visit: Stage set for 'Hala Modi' diaspora event, bilateral ties to get major boost, know what's on platter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Kuwait, starting today, i.e., December 21. This will be the first trip to the Gulf nation by an Indian Prime Minister. 

Taking to 'X', PM Modi wrote, "Today and tomorrow, I will be visiting Kuwait. This visit will deepen India’s historical linkages with Kuwait. I look forward to meeting His Highness the Amir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Kuwait."

Today and tomorrow, I will be visiting Kuwait. This visit will deepen India’s historical linkages with Kuwait. I look forward to meeting His Highness the Amir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Kuwait.

This evening, I will be interacting with the Indian community and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2024

"This evening, I will be interacting with the Indian community and will also attend the inauguration ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup", he added. 

Moreover, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Prime Minister's visit will strengthen the "multifaceted" ties between India and Kuwait. The stage is set in Kuwait to give a grand welcome to PM Modi, with around 5,000 people expected to participate, News 18 reported. 

According to the MEA, PM Narendra Modi is paying the visit at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. 

Providing details about the visit, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, secretary of the MEA, stated that PM Modi would receive a ceremonial guard of honour at the Bayan Palace. Following this, he will hold meetings with Kuwait's leadership.  

During discussions, the Prime Minister will take stock of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including areas such as politics, trade, investment, energy, culture, and people-to-people ties. The leaders will also discuss the significant steps that both sides need to take to further enhance the relations, Chatterjee said. 

Furthermore, the Crown Prince will host a banquet in honour of PM Modi, he added.

PM's visit to the labour camp 

Speaking about the Prime Minister's visit to a labour camp in Kuwait, Arun Chatterjee highlighted that the visit will solidify India's committment to its labour community residing abroad. 

“The government of India attaches considerable importance to the welfare of all workers which are abroad. We have a community of around one million in Kuwait…The idea of the visit to the labour camp is to express the amount of importance the government of India attaches to our workers who are working in a foreign country", he remarked. 

Historical relations 

India and Kuwait have enjoyed traditionally friendly relations that spans decades. As per a report by News 18, the relations between the two countries dates back to pre-oil Kuwait, when it highly relied on maritime trade with India. 

Fine harbour and maritime activities, including shipbuilding, pearl diving, fishing, and voyages to India on wooden dhows carrying dates, Arabian horses, and pearls contributed largely to Kuwait's economy. 

Political relations 

There have been several high-level visits between the India and Kuwait, including those of Indian leaders - Vice President Dr Zakir Husain, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Vice President Hamid Ansari. Furthermore, the VVIP visits from Kuwait to India include those of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. 

On the sidelines of UNGA 2024, PM Modi and Kuwait's Crown Prince held a bilateral meeting. In August 2024, EAM S Jaishankar visited Kuwait. Similarly, on December 3-4,  Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, minister of foreign affairs, Kuwait, visited India and extended the Kuwaiti's leadership invitation to visit there. 

Economic relations

With bilateral trade valued at USD 10.47 billion in financial year 2023-24, Kuwait has stand among India's top trading partners. Moreover, Kuwait is India’s 6th largest crude supplier, which fulfills 3% of the country’s energy needs.

During COVID-19 pandemic

India and Kuwait have come a long way, testifying their time-tested friendship and strong political and economic relations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India sent medical teams to Kuwait while the latter assisted the country with 425 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen and 12,500 oxygen cylinders during the second wave.