PM Modi Poised for Landmark Visit to Kuwait
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) In a move to further strengthen the ongoing close collaboration and robust partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to visit Kuwait soon. This visit would mark the first time an Indian Prime Minister has traveled to this significant West Asian nation, which currently holds the presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in over 43 years.
During a recent visit to New Delhi, Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya extended a formal invitation for the Prime Minister to visit at the earliest convenience, which PM Modi graciously accepted.
Shortly thereafter, while engaging in delegation-level discussions with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya referred to India as a “very important partner” and commended Prime Minister Modi as “one of the wisest persons” globally.
During the meeting held on December 4, he expressed gratitude for the invitation and emphasized the importance of India's leadership under PM Modi, stating, “I am sure that the Prime Minister puts India on a better level, and I am sure that he will continue that... India is a very important partner and we count on our relationship.”
Kuwait remains the only member of the GCC—alongside the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar—that PM Modi has yet to visit since taking office in 2014. A planned visit in 2022 was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
In September, PM Modi met with Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, during the 79th session of the UNGA in New York, marking their first interaction.
During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the strong historical connections and people-to-people ties between the two nations, emphasizing that India places “utmost importance” on its relations with Kuwait.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) later stated that the meeting between the two leaders is expected to provide a “fresh momentum” to bilateral relations.
They expressed satisfaction over mutual support in energy and food security, affirming their commitment to deepen and diversify bilateral relations for the benefit of both nations. PM Modi thanked the Crown Prince for his efforts in ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait, which is the largest diaspora in the country, as reported by the MEA on September 22, 2024.
During last week’s discussions with the visiting Kuwait Foreign Minister, PM Modi reiterated his confidence that cooperation between India and the GCC would be further enhanced under Kuwait’s ongoing presidency.
They exchanged views on the West Asia situation and expressed support for the swift return of peace, security, and stability in the region. PM Modi also expressed gratitude to the leadership of Kuwait for their care of the substantial Indian community residing there.
Subsequently, EAM Jaishankar and Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhancing stability and security in the region and beyond.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed following the meeting to establish a joint committee focused on bilateral cooperation between Kuwait and India, reflecting both countries' determination to elevate their relations to a broader and more comprehensive level, according to Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
