Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Visit to Kuwait
- Historic Significance:
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- This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.
- The last Indian PM to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
- The last high-level visit between the two nations was in 2013 when the PM of Kuwait visited India.
- Purpose and Invitation:
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- Modi’s visit is at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
- The visit aims to further strengthen the “multifaceted” ties between India and Kuwait.
India-Kuwait Relations
- Historical Context:
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- India and Kuwait share traditionally friendly relations, dating back to pre-oil Kuwait, where maritime trade with India was central to its economy.
- Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait until 1961.
- Maritime activities included shipbuilding, pearl diving, and voyages to India, trading items such as dates, Arabian horses, and pearls for wood, cereals, clothes, and spices.
- Diplomatic Milestones:
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- India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait after its independence from British Protectorate in 1961.
- Before diplomatic ties, India was represented by a Trade Commissioner.
- Over 20 bilateral agreements/MoUs have been signed, with 14 more under finalization, including one on defence cooperation.
- Economic and Trade Ties:
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- India has consistently been among Kuwait’s top trading partners.
- Total bilateral trade during FY 2023-24 amounted to $10.47 billion.
- Kuwait was the sixth-largest crude supplier for India in FY 2023-24, fulfilling about 3% of India’s energy needs.
- Top Indian exports include aircraft parts, cereals, organic chemicals, vehicles, and electric machinery.
- Indian Community in Kuwait:
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- Over one million Indians form the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
- There are 26 CBSE-affiliated schools with over 60,000 students, including Indians, Arabs, and South Asian expatriates.
