Prime Minister Narendra Modi's journey to Kuwait yielded notable accomplishments, resulting in the execution of various memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries.
India, which recorded trade amounting to $184.46 billion with Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations such as the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar during the period of 2022-23, further strengthened its relations with Kuwait throughout the Prime Minister's visit.
As per the official updates provided by the PMO, the trip from December 21 to 22 included the establishment of an MoU focused on collaboration in the defence sector. "This MoU will formalize bilateral collaboration in defence, encompassing essential areas such as training, personnel and expert exchanges, joint military exercises, cooperation within the defence industry, supply of defence materials, and partnerships in research and development, among other elements," the government stated.
An additional significant advancement was the cultural exchange programme (CEP) agreed upon for the years 2025-29. "The CEP will enhance cultural exchanges across various domains including art, music, dance, literature, and theatre, facilitating cooperation in cultural heritage preservation, conducting research and development in cultural sectors, and organizing festivals," as noted in the statement.
In terms of sports, a new executive programme was launched to enhance bilateral cooperation. "This executive programme will fortify collaboration in sports between India and Kuwait through the promotion of visits from sports leaders for sharing experiences," the PMO remarked. Additionally, it will engage in programs and projects related to sports, sharing expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, and sports science, among other aspects.
One of the significant features of the visit was Kuwait’s engagement with the International Solar Alliance. "The International Solar Alliance addresses the collective efforts to expand solar energy deployment and tackles essential shared challenges in enhancing the usage of solar energy to assist member nations in developing low-carbon growth paths," the government informed.
Kuwait continues to be among India's foremost trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $10.47 billion during the financial year 2023-24. India serves as a vital partner for Kuwait, and the Indian diaspora represents the largest expatriate community in the Gulf country. Furthermore, Kuwait ranks as India’s sixth-largest supplier of crude oil, fulfilling 3% of its energy requirements. Indian exports to Kuwait surpassed $2 billion for the first time, whereas investments from the Kuwait Investment Authority in India went beyond $10 billion.
Indians make up 21 percent (1 million) of Kuwait's overall population and 30 percent of its workforce (around 9 lakh). According to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, Indian nationals lead in both the private sector and domestic workforce categories.
