Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends a warm greeting to Kuwait’s new Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, succeeding the late Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This diplomatic transition is not merely ceremonial; it’s a celebration of the enduring bond between India and Kuwait. As Sheikh Meshal takes the helm, the million-strong Indian community in Kuwait becomes a living bridge, reflecting the depth of this friendship. From historical trade connections to contemporary collaborations in diverse sectors, the Indo-Kuwaiti relationship embodies shared values and mutual growth. Modi’s congratulations underscore the optimism for the continued flourishing of ties under Sheikh Meshal’s leadership. This diplomatic exchange encapsulates the ongoing narrative of a strong, meaningful, and evolving friendship between the two nations. As the new Emir assumes office, India looks forward to deepening cooperation, building upon the foundation of trust and goodwill that has characterized the relationship for centuries. In navigating the evolving global dynamics, their ever-lasting bond remains a source of strength, resilience, and optimism for a future marked by cooperation with shared vision and mutual prosperity.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered warm greetings Kuwait’s new Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah who formally assumed office on November 20. Sheikh Meshal succeeded Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who passed away on December 17. Prime Minister Modi in his congratulatory message voiced optimism that India and Kuwait’s ties would flourish further under Sheikh Meshal’s leadership. He also emphasised the continued well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait. The vibrant Indian community in Kuwait, numbering over a million strong, serves as a cornerstone of our bilateral relations. This vast diaspora, the largest expatriate group in Kuwait, enriches the nation’s social fabric through their diverse contributions across various sectors. Renowned for their dedication, work ethic, and respect for the law, these individuals play a vital role in Kuwait’s development. The annual remittance of approximately US $4.8 billion from Kuwait to India signifies the strong economic ties that bind our two nations.
Before his official ascension, Sheikh Meshal, then 83, had already taken on many of the day-to-day responsibilities as a de facto ruler due to Sheikh Nawaf’s ailing health. Sheikh Nawaf passed away at the age of 86 on December 17. The passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on December 18th was met with profound sorrow in India. India declared a day of national mourning the following Sunday. During this period, the national flag was flown half-mast across India, and official entertainment events were suspended. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lauded the Emir’s lasting contributions to India-Kuwait ties, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as his special envoy to convey India’s heartfelt condolences.
Bound by history and tested by time, India and Kuwait hold a longstanding friendship. Their ties stretch back centuries, nurtured by a natural trading partnership. The Indian rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait till as late as 1961. Before oil transformed Kuwait’s landscape, its thriving maritime economy hummed with shipbuilding, pearl diving, and trade voyages to India. Wooden dhows carried dates, Arabian horses, and pearls, finding ready exchange for Indian wood, cereals, fabrics, and spices. This legacy resonates even today, marking 60 years since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020-21.
For centuries, India and Kuwait have been woven together by the threads of trade. As one of Kuwait’s top ten trading partners, India enjoys a robust exchange of goods and services. With bilateral trade reaching US$ 12.3 billion in 2021-22, Indian exports like food, textiles, machinery, and vehicles find a vibrant market in Kuwait. The Indian Embassy facilitates this connection, regularly organizing trade missions, seminars, and buyer-seller events, showcasing the best of Indian products and industries. Mangoes, seafood, building materials, and even state-specific specialities like tourism potential in Goa or educational opportunities in Gujarat have been promoted through dedicated events. Collaboration extends beyond traditional trade. Tourism and healthcare services are promoted, connecting Kuwaitis with Indian expertise. Initiatives like the Indian Business Network and the India Business Bulletin facilitate closer ties between entrepreneurs in both countries.
In 2006, following the Amir of Kuwait’s visit to India, the two nations formed the “India-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation” to strengthen collaboration in these areas. Subsequent meetings of the commission took place in New Delhi (July 2008) and Kuwait (September 18-20, 2017), with India’s Ministry of State for External Affairs (MOS, MEA) leading the Indian delegation at the latter. To further elevate bilateral ties, a Joint Statement establishing a Foreign Ministers-level Joint Ministerial Commission was issued during the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister’s visit to India on March 17-18, 2021.
India and Kuwait have regularly held Foreign Office Consultations, since 2012. The first FOCs commenced in New Delhi, paving the way for subsequent meetings in Kuwait (2014) and again in New Delhi (2016). The latest round took place in Kuwait in August 2018, solidifying the ongoing engagement between the two nations.
The well-being of the sizeable Indian community in Kuwait that comprises professionals and blue-collar workers, lies at the heart of our bilateral relations. Recognized as the largest expatriate group in Kuwait, both numerically and within the workforce, their interests are addressed through the existing Joint Working Group (JWG) on Labour, Employment, and Manpower Development. This dedicated forum, convening regularly, fosters productive dialogue on these crucial matters. The 7th JWG meeting took place virtually in 2021. Incidentally, there are 26 Schools in Kuwait following CBSE curriculum with over 60,000 students. These students are mainly Indians including some Arab and South Asian expats.
India and Kuwait enjoy a strong partnership as reliable energy suppliers and consumers. Kuwait stands as a steadfast provider of crude oil and LPG, playing a critical role in meeting India’s vital energy needs. To further consolidate this collaboration, a significant step was taken in October 2020 during the visit of India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. High-level delegation talks meticulously laid the groundwork for enhanced bilateral engagement and cooperation in the oil sector. A carefully curated list of promising investment projects was presented to the Kuwaiti counterparts.
The commitment to deepening ties was evident in the 4th meeting of the India-Kuwait Joint Working Group on Hydrocarbons, held in New Delhi in September 2015. The meeting served as a platform to explore avenues for expanded cooperation within the hydrocarbon sector. Additionally, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s (KPC) CEO, Mr. Nizar Al-Adsani, along with two distinguished KNPC members, actively participated in PETROTECH2016 held in New Delhi in December 2016. Finally, acknowledging the transformative power of virtual communication, the Indian Mission in Kuwait facilitated a meaningful interaction between industry leaders from both countries in November 2020. This digital bridge enabled crucial discussions between Petroleum and Natural Gas stakeholders from Kuwait and the Indian Ministry alongside leading oil companies.
Forging a long-term bond in the realm of science and technology, India and Kuwait have embarked on a collaborative journey. This commitment dates back to the signing of an S&T Agreement in April 2009, and has since been nurtured through regular high-level exchanges. The Director General of Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) himself led a delegation to India in October 2019, where fruitful discussions blossomed with esteemed research institutions like ISRO, CSIR, and IISC. A KISR delegation visited India in November 2013, culminating in a Programme of Cooperation with the Department of Science & Technology and an MOU with CSIR. The exchange continued with an 8-member delegation from CSIR and the Ministry of Earth Sciences reciprocating by visiting Kuwait in April 2014. Notably, KISR remained actively engaged, sending an 8-member delegation back to India in May 2015 for further discussions with CSIR.
In 2012, India and Kuwait solidified their partnership in the healthcare sector with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in New Delhi. This commitment was further strengthened by the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Medical Cooperation, whose inaugural meeting took place in Kuwait in November 2013. The group focused on reviewing existing bilateral cooperation, ultimately devising an action plan to deepen ties in this crucial sector. The shared experience of battling COVID-19 further enriched this collaboration.
Kuwait boasts a significant number of Indian doctors and nurses, and their professionalism is highly respected throughout the nation. This was exemplified during the pandemic when India and Kuwait stood together in the face of crisis. In April 2020, a dedicated Indian medical team arrived in Kuwait on a special aircraft, ready to lend a helping hand. Additionally, 200,000 doses of Covishield vaccines, manufactured by India’s Serum Institute of India (SII), reached Kuwaiti shores in February 2021.
During India’s second wave of COVID-19, Kuwaiti solidarity shone brightly. The Kuwaiti cabinet not only expressed unwavering support but also provided vital assistance in the form of liquid medical oxygen, delivered in multiple air and sea shipments. The first instalment arrived on May 4th, 2021, aboard a Kuwaiti aircraft. This was followed by a series of Indian Naval Ships carrying substantial quantities of liquid medical oxygen, oxygen cylinders, concentrators, and other essential medical equipment to India. This unwavering support during challenging times serves as a testimony to the strong bond between India and Kuwait, a bond further strengthened by their dedicated cooperation in the ever-important field of healthcare.
Finally, around one million strong Indian community stands as the largest and most valued among expats in Kuwait. Its dynamic makeup encompasses professionals like engineers, doctors, accountants, and technocrats alongside skilled traders and hardworking blue-collar workers. Notably, Indian businesses have carved a unique niche in Kuwait’s retail and distribution sectors. Many have established themselves for generations, as evident in well-known companies like Lulu Hypermarket and Centre Point. This robust presence not only fuels the Kuwaiti market with diverse Indian products but also caters to the needs of the vast Indian community.
In conclusion, the transition in leadership from Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the new Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, symbolizes a significant milestone in the multifaceted relationship between India and Kuwait. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm greetings not only formalize this change but also reflect the profound and enduring ties between the two nations. As Sheikh Meshal assumes leadership, the million-strong Indian community in Kuwait stands as a testament to the depth of this alliance, playing an instrumental role in fostering robust people-to-people relations. Beyond historical trade connections and contemporary collaborations across sectors, the bilateral relationship is underpinned by shared values of diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. India and Kuwait’s partnership extends into realms like education, culture, and innovation, nurturing a vibrant exchange of ideas and expertise. Modi’s well wishes resonate with the shared aspirations for the continued prosperity and advancement of both nations. This diplomatic shift signifies not only a change in leadership but also marks the dawn of a new era, bearing witness to the resilience and adaptability of this enduring friendship. As India and Kuwait navigate their paths in an ever-evolving global landscape, their commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared prosperity remains steadfast. As this partnership continues to flourish, people-to-people relations serve as a cornerstone, exemplifying the shared values that unite India and Kuwait. This enduring bond fosters a future marked by cooperative ventures, shared successes, and a commitment to universal values.
*Dr Maheep is a leading analyst of the Indian foreign affairs with a specialization in Arab and Islamic studies. He contributes regularly on the Global issues of utmost importance.
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