Modi’s Historic Visit to Kuwait: First in 43 Years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kuwait on December 21-22, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. Initially, a visit to Saudi Arabia was also on the agenda for this month; however, due to delays in finalizing dates, that trip is now expected to occur next year.

Kuwait, a reliable supplier of crude oil and LPG to India, is also home to a significant Indian diaspora of nearly one million people. It is the only Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member that Modi has not yet visited. Kuwait currently holds the GCC presidency. Earlier this month, Kuwait’s foreign minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya visited India, further strengthening ties.

During a meeting with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in September in New York, Modi expressed satisfaction with the growing bilateral relations. He also discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia, showing support for efforts to bring peace, security, and stability to the region. Kuwait had recently hosted a summit of the six GCC countries, where they called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged international protection for civilians and the opening of safe humanitarian corridors. India has echoed these calls, urging for peace and avoiding further escalation in the region.

In a significant development, India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar and Kuwait’s visiting foreign minister signed an MoU for the establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC). This commission will oversee new working groups in key areas such as trade, investment, education, agriculture, technology, security, and culture, strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Kuwait. The JCC will serve as an umbrella mechanism for comprehensive review and monitoring of the entire spectrum of relations between the two nations.