Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait, today in a pivotal discussion aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between India and Kuwait. The talks, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Kuwait, focused on expanding cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors, from political and economic to cultural and technological.
The two leaders outlined an ambitious roadmap for strengthening ties in several key areas, including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of bolstering economic cooperation between the two nations, pointing to numerous opportunities for collaboration in sectors like energy, defence, pharmaceuticals, and food security.
“India attaches great importance to its relationship with Kuwait, and I am confident that today’s discussions will pave the way for a new chapter of cooperation between our two nations,” Prime Minister Modi said in his opening remarks.
As part of the efforts to deepen economic and commercial ties, Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to a high-level delegation from Kuwait, including representatives from the Kuwaiti Investment Authority and other key stakeholders, to visit India. The delegation will explore new opportunities for investment in areas such as renewable energy, defence, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food parks.
Additionally, the leaders discussed cooperation in areas of traditional medicine and agricultural research. With both countries keen to advance their agricultural and health sectors, the exchange of knowledge and expertise in these domains was seen as a significant area for future collaboration.
A key highlight of the talks was the recent establishment of new Joint Working Groups (JWGs) under the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC). These include groups dedicated to trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture, in addition to the existing JWGs on health, manpower, and hydrocarbons. The JCC framework is expected to provide a robust platform for continued cooperation and dialogue between the two nations.
Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several important agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), which are set to deepen bilateral ties in various fields:
- MoU on Defence Cooperation: This agreement will lay the foundation for enhanced collaboration in the defence sector, with both countries working together on joint training, research, and technology sharing.
- Cultural Exchange Programme: Aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties, this programme will promote mutual understanding through art, culture, and educational exchanges.
- Executive Program on Cooperation in Sports: The two nations will collaborate on various sporting initiatives, including youth development and sports diplomacy.
- Framework Agreement on Kuwait Joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA): This important agreement will facilitate Kuwait’s active participation in the ISA, furthering efforts to promote clean and renewable energy sources.
The exchange of these agreements marks a significant step in the evolution of India-Kuwait relations and reflects both countries’ commitment to building a comprehensive and multifaceted partnership.
As the meeting concluded, Prime Minister Modi invited His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah to visit India at a mutually convenient time, underscoring the desire to further enhance bilateral engagements and deepen ties between the two nations.
The successful talks and agreements signed today are expected to catalyze a new phase in India-Kuwait relations, one that promises increased cooperation across a wide array of sectors and a stronger foundation for future collaboration.
Both leaders expressed optimism that the partnership between India and Kuwait will continue to grow, contributing to peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region and beyond.