NEW DELHI: Announcing enhanced cooperation in the defence and solar energy sectors, India and Kuwait today elevated their relationship to a “strategic partnership” and discussed future growth areas in the fields of health, education, technology and investments.
The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to Kuwait, held talks with his counterpart Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah today.
The two leaders discussed a roadmap for strengthening partnership in various areas, including trade, energy, defence, security, culture and people-to-people ties.
They witnessed the signing of an MoU on defence that institutionalises cooperation in training, joint exercises, defence industry, supply of equipment and collaboration in research and development.
Kuwait joined the India-backed International Solar Alliance. A joint statement said, “Both sides discussed ways to expand bilateral energy trade”. The two sides are looking to graduate from a buyer-seller relationship to having a comprehensive partnership. New Delhi is also keen on Kuwait participating in India’s strategic petroleum reserve programme.
The decision to elevate the relationship to a strategic partnership came after Modi held extensive talks with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah. The joint statement said “the establishment of a strategic partnership will further broad-base and deepen the long-standing historical ties”.
Modi posted on X, “We are extremely optimistic about the India-Kuwait strategic partnership scaling new heights of success in the times to come.”
This was the first meeting between the two leaders. On arrival at the Emir’s Bayan Palace, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and received by the Emir. On the trade and investment front, the authorities of both countries have been tasked with fast-tracking and completing the ongoing negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Modi invited a delegation of the Kuwaiti Investment Authority to look at new opportunities in the fields of energy, defence, medical devices, pharma and food parks among others. Kuwait already is among India’s top trading partners, with a bilateral trade of $10.47 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal. Kuwait is India’s sixth largest crude supplier, meeting 3 per cent of the country’s energy needs. Indian exports to Kuwait have reached $2 billion for the first time. Investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in India exceed $10 billion.
The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the India-Gulf Cooperation Council relations would be strengthened under the presidency of Kuwait. Officials pointed out that in the past decade, the GCC countries had collectively invested nearly $24 billion in India.
The joint statement said “trade has been an enduring link between the two countries”. It emphasised the potential for further growth and diversification in bilateral trade.
The Kuwaiti side expressed interest in exploring opportunities in technology, tourism, healthcare, food security and logistics.
The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and called for disrupting terror financing networks and safe havens, and dismantling terror infrastructure.
Collaboration in technology, emerging technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence was also discussed.
Modi also met Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. The two had last met on the margins of the UNGA session in September.
Earlier at his meeting with the Emir, Modi thanked him for ensuring the well-being of the over one million-strong Indian community in Kuwait.